Usher Raymond :
Confessions

Release Date: 22 March 2004

Reviewed By: Annika Allen

1. Intro

2. Yeah - feat Ludacris, Lil' Jon

3. Throwback

4. Confessions (Interlude)

5. Confessions Part II

6. Burn

7. Caught Up

8. Superstar (Interlude)

9. Superstar

10. Truth Hurts

11. Simple Things

12. Bad Girl

13. That's What It's Made For

14. Can U Handle It

15. Do It To Me

16. Take Your Hand

17. Follow Me

Kanye West - College Dropout
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Justin who? That's what most R&B fans are saying now that Usher Raymond, the Prince of R&B, is back to take away the crown and reclaim his throne.

After a three-year absence, 'Confessions' is Usher's latest offering and it doesn't disappoint. Usher lets the world know he's still on top form by releasing 'Yeah', a loud, booty-shaking single, first. Produced by crunk master Lil' John, this song rightly deserved to get to the #1 spot. Like Lil' John's 2003 hit 'Get Low', 'Yeah' has the same addictive elements; subsonic, infectious beats that get your waistline pumping and the night club jumping. As if that's not enough, it also features a hot rap by southern sensation Ludacris. Unfortunately, the reggae remix of 'Yeah' featuring Elephant Man isn't available to buy so you'll just have to be content with listening to it on the radio.

The second standout track on the album is the emotionally charged 'Burn', a sure-fire hit which has the potential to become a classic track, played and loved at slow jam sessions in years to come. Tipped to be the next single release, this extremely soulful, velvety song is undeniably a masterpiece. Everybody should be able to relate to this topic as it talks about a relationship coming to an end even though you don't want it to. This song makes my body tingle. It's so smooth and sexy and the emotiveness of the song makes me instantly think of past relationships that ended this way. Produced and written by long-term collaborator, So So Def's Jermaine Dupri, 'Burn' will certainly be setting some bedrooms on fire this year.

Talking of fire, Usher's relationship with TLC singer Chilli has apparently distinguished because of his infidelity, and if the rumours are true, then the track entitled 'Confessions Part 2' could be seen as an ode to Chilli as Usher sings: "These are my confessions/just as I thought I said all I could say/my chick on the side said she got one on the way." If these lyrics are true, then Usher's been a very naughty boy. Although there's no excuse for cheating, there was an 8-year age gap between the two, so it wasn't a shock for me to hear that a young man in his prime was playing the field. Despite Usher singing that his unfaithfulness led to a pregnancy, his smooth vocals sail easily over this mid-tempo track, leaving you eagerly anticipating the next.

Usher shows his romantic side on the metaphorical track 'Superstar', and brings an old-school flavour into the mix with 'Take Your Hand', produced by newcomer Rich Harrison. This album explores every aspect of a relationship and the depth of his lyrics gives the impression that Usher is writing and singing from personal experiences. Every woman should buy a copy of this album to hear a man's inner thoughts on relationships. It's no mistake that this album is titled 'Confessions'. Through his music Usher seems to be confessing his sins, so when he sings, "I've hit, loved and left in tears/without a care," on 'Caught Up', he ain't playing!

Production-wise, 'Confessions' is top notch with Usher working with some of the best: Just Blaze, Philadelphian producers Andre Harris and Vidal Davis, and the legendary Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, to name but a few.

Whether it's slow jams or up-tempo tunes, this album has everything. However, there are a few tracks like 'Caught Up', 'That's What It's Made For' and 'Truth Hurts' that could have been left off the album as they are easily forgettable, standard R&B tracks. Nevertheless, you won't be pressing fast-forward for too long, as 10 out of the 19 tracks prove that the R&B star is performing in the premier league.

For me, this album is definitely better than '8701', because although Usher's 2001 release spawned many hits for him, there weren't any instantly memorable tunes like the recent 'Yeah', or soon-to-be-classic 'Burn'.

Throughout his 10-year career, Usher has consistently heated up the charts and surpassed expectations, winning many awards and receiving plenty of accolades. Bottom line: 'Confessions' is as chiselled as Usher's six-pack and your collection will not be complete without it.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Top Three Tracks:
2. Yeah featuring Lil' John and Ludacris
6. Burn
19. Confessions Part 1

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