R&B crooner Avant is back with his fifth album released on his new label, Capitol Records, which hit stores yesterday, December 9th.

Avant acknowledges the singer’s established track record. He says, “I’ve proved my point. The album reflects who I am. I think one of the reasons I’ve been able to enjoy the kind of longevity I’ve had, is that I write songs that are about real-life situations.”

The album’s kick-off single, “♫ When It Hurts” is an impassioned and irresistible plea about the true meaning of unconditional love, produced by the Anonymous Entertainment team of Eric Dawkins and Tony Dixon.

Other aspects of love inspired Avant to create “♫ Break Your Back”, a sexy ode to gettin’ it on. “I know what my fans expect and they look to me for the way I try and come across with a love song,” Avant explains, “but at the same time, as a songwriter I also know there’s nothing new under the sun. My job is to find new ways of saying things that you might have heard before.”

“Out of Character” is Avant’s attempt to persuade his lady to invite another woman for a night of pleasure. He explains to her, “The way I feel about you won’t change, and I’m not trying to make you go both ways. But tonight you need to go both ways for me, baby.”

The album also features a couple of charming and faithful tracks. On “Y.O.U.,” Avant states that he has found his reason to love unconditionally. Although he is an accomplished songwriter, he is not afraid to cover another artist’s material, especially if it allows him to add his own style (remember “♫ My First Love“). He offers his take on the Christopher Cross classic, “Sailing”. “Sometimes when you’re going through life you just want to sit back, relax and think of everything that’s going on, and for me, “Sailing” is a song that gives you the freedom to do that.”

Avant is filled with his best material to-date, but “Material Things” really messes up the flow on the album midway. I understand the message behind it, but up-tempo tracks aren’t really Avant’s forte.

MY FAVES: “Sensuality”, “Perfect Gentleman”, “Involve Yourself”, “Out of Character”, “Y.O.U.”, “Sailing”