♫ THE NEW MUSIC REVIEW ♫

Thursday, May 22, 2008

♫ Usher - Revolver (full) - listen
Here’s a bonus track from Usher’s upcoming release, Here I Stand which will hit stores next Tuesday. I’m loving his vocal delivery on the song, as well as the production, but it’s something about Usher’s material that I’m just not getting. I haven’t really liked much of the writing that I’ve heard on the album. This song is very well put together, and actually fits in well with the rest of the album. If you’re digging, pick up your copy on the 27th.

♫ LL Cool J feat. Lil’ Mo - I Cry (full) - listen
Check out this new track from LL Cool J’s next album, Exit 13, which is set to hit stores July 8th. LL Cool J seems back to be going back to his old sound with this new track, but it’s funny - it sort of reminds me of Ja Rule’s song, of the same title, which also shares the same collaborator, Lil’ Mo, whose last album didn’t do so well. Exit 13 will be LL Cool J’s final album on Def Jam. Did anyone remember Todd Smith?

♫ Janet Jackson - Luv (full) - listen
I guess Def Jam listened up and realized the fans wanted “Luv” as Janet’s official third single, not “Can’t B Good.” I’m glad that Janet is doing this for the next single, it’s just a great song. She recently performed the new single on Ellen (click here to watch the performance). I’m super pleased with this decision. Hopefully this can push Discipline a little more, as well as the announcement of her new tour. Janet will start in Vancouver, Canada on her Rock Witchu tour. Should be interesting.

♫ Nas - N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave & The Master) (full) - listen
New music from Nas. The album, which was originally supposed to be called Nigger, has been pushed back several times, and now we’ve learned that it’s no longer the title. Although Nas is spitting real talk on this new track, it’s not grabbing me at all. Nas released a statement earlier this week, but some folks are just not sold. Did Nas really decide to change the title of his album? Or was there a little push from the label?