Ne-Yo

I heard this song a few weeks ago and I have been playing it non-stop ever since. Everything about it screams classic 90s R&B (the Puff Daddy Diddy verse is the icing on the cake).

The song has gotten a few spins on New York radio, but has not been released as a single.  A mistake in my opinion because had he released this in conjunction with the dance/pop tracks (“Let Me Love You,” “Let’s Go”) I would have considered buying the album.

In response to criticism he has received regarding his shift in genre Ne-Yo always responded:

When people get the album they’ll know what it is, I’ma put it that way.  When people get the album they’ll understand what it is… I’m going to let the album speak for itself, I feel like good music needs no explanation…

Anybody who feels like I’m not R&B no more, listen to this album and shut your face. (Power 105.1 The Breakfast Club)

I decided to give R.E.D (Realizing Every Dream), Ne-Yo’s fifth studio album a listen on Spotify (largely due to “Should Be You”)  and to my surprise it reminded me why I loved Ne-Yo in the first place. I understand his frustration, but he can not blame fans for being confused as to which direction he is taking his music.  I believe in room for creativity, but it must be done tactfully when you are in the stage of your career that Ne-Yo is in.

R.E.D. is worth a listen — check it out!