Whitney Houston is back with her new album I Look to You which hit stores this past Monday, her first album in 7 years. I Look to You is a mix of R&B slow jams and over -the -top ballads about finding her way back to the top. The title track is the album’s first single, which got lukewarm reviews. Houston took a very safe approach with this album, making sure not to talk about her divorce from Bobby Brown or her drug usage. Houston has a lot riding on this album from all the negative publicity surrounding her. Houston turned to a number of A-list producers and writers on this album from Alicia Keys, R Kelly, Akon, to Swizz Beatz among others. The 12 track disk is a reminder why we turn to Whitney for good music.
The Whitney from the 90’s is gone and the new R&B Whitney is here with a new sound and style of music. The album starts with “Million Dollar Bill” which was produced by Alicia Keys, and is Houston’s second single. The video is scheduled to be released in the coming weeks. The song has a very old-school-vibe and is definitely for the dance floor. The album moves to the next track “Nothin’ But Love” where Houston calls out the people that have wronged her telling them that she “aint got nothing but love for them”. It’s a fan favorite on the album and has a positive message behind it. “Call You Tonight” is a laid back R&B track with a very chill vibe to it. This may be my favorite track off the album, making me move my head and press repeat after it’s over. “Like I Never Left” features Akon and is a good mix of breezy beats and catchy lyrics. Houston tells us that she wants us to love her like she never left. The song gives a very summery feel and would make a great next single off the album. “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” has Houston singing will all her heart, telling us that she wasn’t built to break and she got to know her own strength.
The next few tracks are all about the lovers and being happy in a relationship. “Worth it”, “For the Lovers”, and “I Got You” are all about being with that special someone and just being in love. I like this part of the album, Houston seems to be a little more free and is having fun delivering the songs. This part of the album is definitely for anyone that is happy in love, or anyone that wants to be in love. On “For the Lovers” Houston tells us straight out that “the next three minutes are about the lovers”. The mid-tempo jams alone are worth buying the album for. Houston delivers again on “I Got You” another Akon produced track. The mid-tempo jam has you moving your body and wanting to sing along.
Although the album is a nice effort from Houston, when the album is finished it leaves you feeling incomplete, and wanting more. Maybe that was Houston’s plan and her next album will fill in the missing pieces from this one. The world wants to know if the voice is back and if Whitney can once again be on top. No doubt that she will be back on top, but the voice is not what it once was. Case in point on the titular track she hits some not-so-flattering notes. She doesn’t do a lot vocally on this album mainly using her lower register. The album is a good album, but not great with nothing exceptional. It’s just an above average R&B album that any artist could do with the right producers. After being away for so long I was hoping for an amazing album with all the bells and whistles. All I can say is welcome back Whitney even though I wanted more from you it’s still a good album. I Look to You gets 3.5/5 Stars.
The Whitney from the 90’s is gone and the new R&B Whitney is here with a new sound and style of music. The album starts with “Million Dollar Bill” which was produced by Alicia Keys, and is Houston’s second single. The video is scheduled to be released in the coming weeks. The song has a very old-school-vibe and is definitely for the dance floor. The album moves to the next track “Nothin’ But Love” where Houston calls out the people that have wronged her telling them that she “aint got nothing but love for them”. It’s a fan favorite on the album and has a positive message behind it. “Call You Tonight” is a laid back R&B track with a very chill vibe to it. This may be my favorite track off the album, making me move my head and press repeat after it’s over. “Like I Never Left” features Akon and is a good mix of breezy beats and catchy lyrics. Houston tells us that she wants us to love her like she never left. The song gives a very summery feel and would make a great next single off the album. “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” has Houston singing will all her heart, telling us that she wasn’t built to break and she got to know her own strength.
The next few tracks are all about the lovers and being happy in a relationship. “Worth it”, “For the Lovers”, and “I Got You” are all about being with that special someone and just being in love. I like this part of the album, Houston seems to be a little more free and is having fun delivering the songs. This part of the album is definitely for anyone that is happy in love, or anyone that wants to be in love. On “For the Lovers” Houston tells us straight out that “the next three minutes are about the lovers”. The mid-tempo jams alone are worth buying the album for. Houston delivers again on “I Got You” another Akon produced track. The mid-tempo jam has you moving your body and wanting to sing along.
Although the album is a nice effort from Houston, when the album is finished it leaves you feeling incomplete, and wanting more. Maybe that was Houston’s plan and her next album will fill in the missing pieces from this one. The world wants to know if the voice is back and if Whitney can once again be on top. No doubt that she will be back on top, but the voice is not what it once was. Case in point on the titular track she hits some not-so-flattering notes. She doesn’t do a lot vocally on this album mainly using her lower register. The album is a good album, but not great with nothing exceptional. It’s just an above average R&B album that any artist could do with the right producers. After being away for so long I was hoping for an amazing album with all the bells and whistles. All I can say is welcome back Whitney even though I wanted more from you it’s still a good album. I Look to You gets 3.5/5 Stars.
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