R. Kelly – Untitled [Album Review]
December 7, 2009 by Nadia Ghanem
Filed under Reviews
Originally scheduled for release in 2008 under the name 12 Play, 4th Quarter then scrapped due to an early leak, R Kelly‘s generous 15 track album, Untitled, is finally out – and will lead you directly to R’s love nest.
Standing as his ninth studio album, Untitled features fellow contemporary artists Keri Hilson (with the already released “Number One”), Atlanta rapper OJ Da Juiceman (“Superman High”), Rock City (“Crazy Night”), Robin Thicke, Tyrese and The-Dream (“Pregnant”), with many collaborating producers including Chris Henderson, Lil Ronnie, Infinity, Jack Splash (“Be My #2”), and Danish producers Soulshock and Karlin (“I Love the DJ”).
R Kelly’s signature lyrical sense and groove are just as expected – but since he generally “blow[s] the competition away” (“Like I Do”) when it comes to modern R&B, the predictability excuses itself.
Untitled opens with “Crazy Night” featuring Rock City and stands as one of the bouncier leanings towards Hip Hop on the album. This might worry fans as to the turn this project will take, but “Exit” soon starts the series of now legendary Kelly ballads with warm melodies, piano and daring vocal highs and drops. Then, we’re off to meet Kellz on a high peak with his swiss-style glottal manoeuvre also called a yodel (“Echo”) – jokes aside on the yodel, not every singer can do that, it’s considered a serious feast of voice mastery in the Alps…
“Bangin’ on the Headboard” continues the smooth and slow R Kelly musical ride all the way through “A Whole Lotta Kisses”, “Elsewhere”, gospel inspired “Religious” and closing song “Pregnant”. This is the beaten track for R Kelly. He carved his niche and he is sticking to it. The only relatively new approaches lay in the electro-pop slant of “I Love The DJ” and the retro dance beat of “Be My #2” but none develops too far from the familiar.
The coy listener might focus on his lyrics (don’t look for subtle here) and not give enough due weight to R Kelly’s musical sense, so let’s remember: R Kelly, through legal troubles and out, has been one of the top gladiators in the R&B arena for nearly 20 years. The cornerstone is a truth un-dismissable: the man has a Voice! And a fantastic vocal range. However, it often seems, unfortunately, that there is much potential laying in the gold of his vocal cords and music ability that is left untapped.
Untitled is out now on Jive Records.
Reviewed by Nadia Ghanem
Nadia Ghanem was born in France to Algerian parents and has lived so long in the UK that it is now her home. A music and chocolate addict since she was old enough to say 'more', she aspires to be a writer and a poet. Ancient semitic languages are her current multilingual academic obsession.
I love the album dearly and Rkelly
It’s a shame, he just… got boring. There’s NOTHING stimulating or enjoyable about his music anymore.
I wondered what had happened to Soulshock and Karlin. Thanks for clearing that up. Glad to know they are still around.
Shalom x
PS. this is a great review.