Ne-Yo is back with a solid sophomore album, “Because of You.”
His first album, “In My Own Words,” was a success and debuted at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100. His second single, “So Sick,” also ranked No.1 during the same week.
Many people wondered if Ne-Yo could do it again. Could he produce the same fire that pushed this singer, songwriter and producer to the top?
To all those who were wondering the answer is yes. Ne-Yo has done it again, proving to the critics he has not been cursed with the sophomore jinx.
“Because of You” features appearances from Def Jam Records CEO Jay-Z and “Dreamgirl” Jennifer Hudson. Ne-Yo wrote and co-produced every song on the album. The title song, “Because of You,” is the first single from the album and has held strong at No.5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In the song “Crazy,” which features Jay-Z, Ne-Yo is magnetically drawn to a woman and does not care who knows how obsessed and deranged he is about her. He talks to a picture of her at night and writes her name on the mirror as he sings, “Just call me crazy.”
“Do You” is a soft piano-driven ballad about a man who wonders if his ex-girlfriend thinks about him even though she has moved on with her life.
“Addicted” is inspired by blues music with the sound of guitars and horns playing in the background. In this song Ne-Yo proclaims that he is not addicted to sex, but is simply just a freak. He wants all lovely ladies to know that one night with him can be very addictive.
Ne-Yo brings a different sound with the track “Sex With My Ex.” The beat is reminiscent of Prince in the 1980s . The track’s X-rated lyrics describe how he wants to have sex with his ex-girlfriend despite that she is in a new relationship. Even though the title is catchy, this song is a bit too sexy and over the top.
The song “Leaving Tonight,” featuring Hudson, is the best song on the album. All of the many women and men who have decided to leave their significant others after having found him/her cheating on them can relate.
In the duet, Ne-Yo and Hudson go back and forth. Hudson is demanding to know the identity of the woman who is calling her boyfriend’s phone and tells Ne-Yo that if the allegations are true she is leaving tonight. Ne-Yo assures her the rumors are not true and that she is the only one he wants. Hudson’s powerful voice adds so much soul to the song.
Danielle Bell can be reached at [email protected].
