Chris Brown “X” Review

Chris Brown’s highly anticipated album delivers both hits and misses but shows signs of growth and strength from the multi-talented artist. With a career that has been heavily affected by his turbulent personal life, although it is his image that has been criticized and punished as opposed to his art, this begs the question of whether do we forgive him and let him continue learning and evolving? This is the underlying message of the album, he declares “I swear to God I’m moving on” on the diplo EDM infused “X” which is the opener in which he also constantly repeats “I ain’t going back no more”, one might say that this is about an ex and that is the denotation however some may argue that Chris is simply moving on from his past and starting a fresh and he expects his enemies to allow him to rebuild.
The album is filled with a few club songs most notably “Loyal” which had taken over the winter charts and does not seem to be losing steam anytime soon, other sure fire club hits will be “Came to do” and “New Flame” which is currently climbing the charts. Chris has a number of international hits under his belt and these continue to show his impress run in terms of singles. “Body Shots” is also an impressive single that can be a massive dance anthem. Another dance track is “Don’t Be Gone Too Long” which is one of the weak songs on the album but it provides some fun (Ariana Grande is featured in the video and it is an improvement to the album version).
Breezy continues to be a new age RnB crooner but maintains the appeal of past artists by paying homage; he does this with R Kelly by featuring him and reciting songs on the erotic and highly influential 12 Play, the song features Trey Songz, another sex symbol the song will excite most women. It is no secret that Chris Brown aims to emulate Michael Jackson in every way possible (except when rapping), and the singer is perhaps closer to achieving his goal with this album given its diversity in production lyrics and themes. Chris Brown may very well be on the right path musically.
Ultimately he continues the dark tone of the album that sets it apart from his other albums, with “X” Chris brown is able to express his darker, more painful and tortured psyche of heart ache and self-loathing through songs like “Autumn Leaves” and “Do Better”, here Brown incites the same emotion that he had during his BET performance in 2010,he bears not only his heart and soul in these songs but his fear of being alone, this is the overall theme of the album and it does not provide a happy ending but rather a fresh new perspective on the artist himself who has been called a criminal, delinquent and misogynist. In response to such criticism, Brown has managed to show weakness and this has shown not only growth from his previous albums but for himself as well.
Even though the album has its fair share of golden moments, it however becomes weak by not being an album full of good lyrics and singing, half of the album is a mess but that only stops the album from being great and it remains good. The features and producers too allow the album to be better however there are a few lapses in some of Brown’s performances. Like its predecessor and F.A.M.E there are a few forgettable songs but its overall output displays the direction in which Brown is heading and it is one we cannot wait to witness.
This has been an album that has been delayed due to Brown’s legal issues however, the album is unscathed from the publicity of Browns tumultuous lifestyle and he has proven once again that he is a phoenix that keeps on rising.
You can purchase the album on iTunes for $14.99 (164.32 ZAR)

BY DERRICK NYATHI