Although it seems longer, it’s been nearly seven years since we’ve heard anything new from Whitney Houston. After spending the last three years recording, she’s back with I Look to You, and she sounds better than ever.
Whitney explained the title saying, “The last several years spiritually, this song says all I wanted to say. There are times in life when we go through certain situations – some not so good. You have to reach for a higher strength, you have to reach deep inside yourself, spend time with yourself to make some corrections that go beyond your own understanding and lean on a higher understanding, for me this song puts it all in check. If I did not have my faith I wouldn’t be as strong today.”
It would be easy to mention all the things Whitney has endured over the last decade: her shockingly thin appearance at the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special, the infamous Diane Sawyer interview, the $100 million lawsuit against her, losing her father, Being Bobby Brown and ultimately divorcing her husband of 14 years.
But it’s also easy to see how I Look to You deals with all of that. “That makes it real,” Whitney says. “The changes that we go through, the transitions that we go through, the tests that we go through, being a mother, becoming a single mother. It all had its ups and its downs, but for the most part, I kept my faith and I kept my head up… I took my time. All the triumphs and the ups and downs and stuff, it’s all incorporated on the album, and hopefully not only does it inspire me, but inspires a whole lot of other people.”
I Look to You reunites Whitney with Clive Davis as executive producer and opens with the lead single, “Million Dollar Bill”. Written by Alicia Keys and produced by Swizz Beats, the track is a perfect dance groove about love as Whitney belts out strong vocals. “Nothin’ But Love” follows as Whitney shouts out those who love her and those who try to hate on her on this uptempo track, produced by Danja.
The title track, written by R. Kelly and produced by Tricky and Harvey Mason Jr., is where Whitney shines. Beautifully-written lyrics sound even more beautiful as Whitney sings them full of emotion, reaching out to anyone who’s ever faced adversity. “Like I Never Left” is a fitting track title, with Akon helping out on this light and airy track.
Whitney takes on the Leon Russell classic, “A Song for You”, made popular by Donnie Hathaway. But this is nothing like Donnie’s version; Whitney flips it into a club banger, which takes some getting used to. “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength”, written by Diane Warren and produced with David Foster, is another triumph over adversity tracks and one of the best of the album.
The album concludes with “Salute”, another R. Kelly track, with Whitney declaring, “Don’t call it a comeback/No, I’ve been here for years.” The song is a clear message that Whitney is moving on and, “Well, I’m not done.” Glad to hear it! I Look to You marks the beginning of Whitney’s triumphant return to the top.
Make sure you pick up your copy of Whitney’s I Look to You in stores or online today.
booooooooooooooooooooooooooo….when will the music industry get it? we are tired of old ass, “veteran” acts trying to drop music like they are still relevant. the future of the music inudstry is dependent on fresh, NEW talent. where are those artists at???
Mommyyyyyyy!!
i didnt like the album at first; but after hearing it in it’s entirety, it’s not bad.
can someone talk about how her voice sounds? i don’t feel like listening but i want to know if she sounds as bad as mariah
The album is great, it takes me back to when R&B was the ONLY music I listened to. People are going to say what they want to say about this, but for Whitney fans, I think this album offers a glipse of what we’ve all been missing in terms of music. Strong songs with strong messages, and songs to two step to. Congrats Whitney!
Simply Beautiful!!!
@ 4, her voice doesn’t sound bad at all. But its not as strong as it use to be. But compared to these other artist that are out now her voice sounds great…lol. Anyways, I’m happry for her…and @ 1, everyone isn’t into the “fresh faces of the music industry”, because most of them are less than good singers , also Whitney music is for an older generation…they need something too. I strongly doubt I will catch my mom playing Rihanna or Beyonce in my car…lol
In response to “Listen”…I have to disagree. If you have a gift and we can relate to what you’re saying, most of us want to hear it, and age doesn’t matter. I’m pretty sure there are young people out there who have gone through some tough trials and can relate to the lyrics from Whitney, myself included. If anything, the age of an artist alone should speak wisdom. Everyone doesn’t want to hear about rims, egos, and superman. Once you have no message, then you should sit down.
I will be picking up my copy today. Her songs are filled with joy, encouragement, and hope.
I ADORE WHITNEY BUT NO ONE WILL EVER DO THAT SONG JUSTICE THE WAY DONNY HATHAWAY DID.
Go whitney!!!!!!! To #1, I’ll have you kow that my first cassette that I ever bought was Whitney’s ‘ Whitney’. I loved it, I am 23 years old and I appreciate good music no matter what age. Go Whitney!!!!!!!!!!!
At 12 noon, I’m at Target copping my copy. I love Whitney every since I was a little girl and always will.
booo to #1 she is relevant!!! I listened to that whole CD from beginning to end and it is good!!! Go Ms. Whitney
I’m so happy she’s still connected to God (or atleast it sounds like she is).
Ms. Houston has my support.
Everyone loves a good comeback story. I wish Whitney only the best!
hmmmmm i’ll pass on Whitney she’s a legend and once was a wonderful singer no doubt, but I Look to You is not the Whitney I remember.
# 1 you sound dumb as hell. You shouldnt be the first comment you should be the last because you don’t matter.
Welcome back Whitney!!!!!!
we missed you…
@#1 Just hush up, because you know NOTHING!!!!
I LOVE YOU WHITNEY HOUSTON. BUT i HOPE WE DON’T HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER 7YRS. I LOVE THE CD AND THE ONLY THING BAD I CAN SAY IS I WISH AFTER ALL THESE YEARS SHE WOULD WRITE SOME OF HER OWN MUSIC. JUST A THOUGHT
I haven’t heard any of her singles but from what I hear the album is pretty good so I will be getting that later today.
@ Listen
Even on Whitney off days she sounds better then 99% of the “new” acts that are out now. Does it really matter if she’s a woman of a certain age or been in the game for awhile? Good music is good music and I’ll take it from a new artist or an old artist. Your comment was so ignorant to me.
J Dakar, I think you should leave the album reviews to Brian. Every album review that I have read from you has been too nice and not truthful enough. This album is a mess, I was expecting so much more from Whitney. I have really been anticipating this album for months now. I have had the album for two weeks now and it still hasn’t grown on me. I think she has very weak vocals, no range, no power and she has lost her soul that she once had. I can clearly tell it’s Whitney, but just a Whitney that doesn’t compare to her prime in the 90′s. She doesn’t sound bad, but when you think of her range, power and soul she once had, this album doesn’t compare.
I think the producers are responsible for majority of this mess. I was hoping that the studio would really amp up her vocals and deliver a power house diva once again, but I was wrong. The remake and remix to A Song for You is foolish, a big CHOP! The part that really gets me is that she really ate that song up on Diva’s live in the 90′s, but to remake and remix it was stupid, especially when you sung it ten times better years ago. I don’t know what album you have been listening to J Dakar, but clearly we must be listening to two different albums because I don’t see it!
All in all I give this album a 4/10. We need you back Whitney, but give us fever when you tipp back on the scene!
Disappointed.
I hope “Worth It” is the next single, it the best song on the album imo. Why do they always pick bad singles now? It like they want the album to not sell well.
Well this is not the 90′s this is 2009 and Whitney still sounds great. The cd is really solid, “nothin but love”, “calling you tonight” and “worth it” are early standouts. this is probably one of her more stronger releases to me. so many potential singles and not just album filler. the only song that i probably skipped was “for the lovers”, even “a song for you” has grown on me. Really really good cd. Props to Whitney.
I’m so proud of Whitney!! I’ll be buying my copy really soon
LoVe
@ SHON
thanks for being real. i thought i was the only one who thought this way. i’m not impressed with this album. maybe the next one will be good.
J, not sure about this review. Seems very generic. I really liked your political writting, does CL still have a section like that ?
I was having doubts at first but the vocals have been redone and remixed since the past leaks. She sounds great!! I love “Worth It”
SHE STILL SOUNDS BETTER THE RIHANNA
@#1 Speak for yourself. Young people are not the only ones that like music, and there are many youngins that enjoy music by artists of all ages, not just young ones. That was a very ignorant comment.
@ 28
My cat sounds better than Rihanna.
Her lacefronts are cute lol
to 1)Listen
****************************
are you bobby’s lastest babe? is so, let me remind you that you may want to praise this album, so that whitney can make some money to pay for support for bobby if you want to be taken care off. just saying.
She sounds and look a hot mess, she will definitely flop and nobody is checking for this crackhead bitch.
If only rhianna, ciara and company sound as good as whitney. go nippy.
@ Jane_doe
And who exactly is checking for you?
*crickets*
@ Jane_Doe
You’re a nobody.
Who’s gonna check me boo?
the songs and her voice are really flat, and weak sounding.there is no fire or punch to this album.perhaps she will up her game for the next album.l wanted to like it.too bad.
i have to admit, i talked about ” I look to You” at first. But i see that it was written by R. Kelly…(which says alot for Whitney’s low register voice on the track) and i had to think about it. Whitney needed a song she could sing night after night after night that wouldnt make her sound horrible and wouldnt hinder her….in comes “i look to you”. She could go from Good Morning america to the view then to the late show…and even later with craig ferguson…sing that same song and NAIL it every time! NOW I GET IT…..
GO Whitney! I still luv ya girl!
@ jane_doe:
Whitneuy is number one on itunes all over the world..so ur eveil prayer for her to flop..pray it on urself..have u had a scucess story in ur life lately?i dont think so..u sound like a bitter loser who wont go nowhere..welcome back whitney houston.we missed u..we love u and welcome back to the top of the world..where u rightly belong.;.the fact that she is not dead and in a grave and credits God for pulling her through makes me a fan..period.
Talent is talent, and Whitney is a good example of talent. Age doesn’t matter…Go Whitney!!! Let me add, the Whitney’s of the world helped pave the way for artist like Beyonce’. Please people be real……
Thankyou Lord,the voice is still there,what a mircle,after 8 years of instense drug,alcohol and physical abuse and i can still feel the voice. However she is holding back BIG time,the power is still there. Wish the Album was more personal. Anyways, rumor has it she already she a second album in the works,which i guess will be more powerful and personal,has been through alot,the current album “I LOOK TO YOU” is’nt that personal,its very safe but i actually now love it.
I’m a huge Whitney fan, got the album this morning. I’m satified with it cause finally have something new of her to listen to. That being said, as much as i love and adore her, none of the songs are blowing me away although “I Got U, Million Dollar Bill, “Call You Tonight”, “Worth It” and “Salute” will get repeat plays on my ipod. Unfortunately, I don’t think her voice can do what it was known to do…
On the flip side, she appears to have left that other life alone…and as a true fan, seeing her happy and healthy is enough for me.
So glad to see Whitney back and looking good!
I love Whitney and am glad she is back, but there is something off to me about “I look to you”. Beautiful heart felt words, but sounds weak. I heard it on the radio the other day and said that is Whitney? I thought maybe it was just the range that she was singing in that I don’t care for, but from some of the other comments I see, apparently she may sound the same on some of the other songs as well. Best of luck to her. I am glad she cleaned herself up.
I wanted YEARS for this badly sung, badly written, uninspired piece of fluff
Whitney you’ve been thru hell and you do a cd for a paycheck because it sure
ain’t for the love of music
The vocals are harsh and badly sung
I Didn’t Know My Own Strength is the worst vocal she has ever done.
TOtally disappointed.
THE PHYLLIS HYMAN OF OUR GENERATION HAS CRASHED AND BURNED VOCALLY. HORRIBLE EFFORT
I LIKE MARIAH CAREYS I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS AND THAT IS A GREAT TRANSFORMATION BACK TO QUALITY VOCALS
THIS CD IS A 7 YEAR RUSH JOB
SHE BUTCHERS DONNIE’S SONG FOR YOU INTO A GAY DISCO SONG – SHE SHOULD BE BANISHED FROM THE RECORDING STUDIO FOREVER
Wow, nothin’ but big hopes for Ms. Houston. She looks wonderful.
It’s clear by her cryptic comments about leaning on a “higher understanding” that she is referring to the Qabbalah. That is why they are rejuvenating her dead career. That is the perk of selling one’s soul to the Baphomet. The record companies will always have your back career-wise, even when your back is against the bottom of a coffin, six feet deep. The inverted pyramid earrings, the light shining from the background (representing Illumination), and her all white give it away. She considers herself a practitioner of “good magic”, in the order of Isis/Diana.
yes yes yes she sounds a hot mess but i’m glad she got herself together
her voice was a treasure in my house in the early 80′s.
I think this album is sensational…. It is a breath of fresh air in the midst of all the crap out now…. I mean really …to like the first few people who said it sucks must be like 12 & 13.. Because this is great relevant music…It is so mind boggiling to me and clear that you lack a true incline to music. You have to have delt with adversity, tribulation, hatred and love, to really appreciate this album.. I am sorry whitney nailed it.. this album is far better than beyonce’s, Kerri Hilson and all the other crap that has come… Aside from Brandy’s Human.. which was slept on…People want to hear real music again and I am only 24… seriously…. I hate listening to the radio anymore cause everything they play is so generic… I welcome whitney’s lates LP with open arms and gratitude, and I am thinking her… And we as music listeners need to make the change to haveing real artist with real talent back on the radio..Brandy, Monica, faith, Whitney, toni B etc… If you honestly listen to Kerii Hilson adn Beyonce you can hear that they try to emulate vocals of the greats and peopel that know music have a laug…. congrats to you whitney I bough to copies of this phenomial cd … one in cd format and one for ITunes… Now come on B-rocka
to the rest of you discussing voice.. Whitney hands down sits like 95% of this girls in the indsustry still to date…. She is actuall using her instrument correctly now.. not over singing or putting to mch pressure on her voice… silly ones
The Queen is back. (Applause, applause.) The album is simply great. Please remember, Whitney at 50% is 100% better than 90% of the crap masquerading as R&B right now.
I’m Loving the new Whitney disc. I have waited a long time for new music from the Diva. That being said, It’s sad how some black people live to tear each other down. Really sad!
I will support her no matter what because she is Whitney, but I hope this album is not full of “made it through the storm songs” (I know that was a Mariah song but it was the only thing I could think of).
Wish her all the best.
Now anybody that says Mariaih Carey sounding like a chipmunk should not be posting anything about A ‘soldier girl’!! See you @ the grammys…. lmao!!!
I already pre-ordered the album. Great lyrics and good music.
I wish her well on the success of her CD.–I extended success to everyone as well: Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton.
MMuch Love to All!
Unfortunately, Whitney’s voice is not what it once was, and will never be again. And since she’s gotten her teeth fixed, there’s that flaw also. You can hear it when she speaks and sings. The words are not as smooth. It makes a difference. Has anyone noticed that?
It’s ok…I luv old Whit’s voice…..
Love this album. Bought my copy this morning. To all the people complaining about her voice, yeah its different but its still good.
Don’t see how people can call this album “weak.” I only skip 1 or 2 tracks. Oh welll.