Human - Brandy

Human sees Brandy's first real foray into the music business since Aphrodisiac four years ago and whilst it's not quite the RnB heaven of some of her earlier work it remains a romantic, thoughtful, intelligent and engaging album about pain, redemption and love. Brandy reaches a new maturity on the album; crafting songs that actually mean something with her trademark, husky vocals and some stunning production values. Over the past four years Brandy ...
...and grown-up song on the Human album; it is extremely pleasant and has a really engaging chorus that really builds into something special. It has my favourite lyrics of the whole CD and is truly beautiful, quiet, strong and mesmerising - showing that Brandy has really evolved into her style with passionate, subtle and sad vocals. It is a very strong entry, using the building of a house as an analogue for life (which works surprisingly well) 'Built ... more

Human sees Brandy's first real foray into the music business since Aphrodisiac four years ago and whilst it's not quite the RnB heaven of some of her earlier work it remains a romantic, thoughtful, intelligent and engaging album about pain, redemption and love. Brandy reaches a new maturity on the album; crafting songs that actually mean something with her trademark, husky vocals and some stunning production values. Over the past four years Brandy has had her marriage revealed as a shame, been in a car accident which resulted in a tragic death and left her long-time record contract and she channels this heartache into some of the albums more lyrical tunes.

Each song has a very effective mix of vulnerability and defiance and eventually it weaves a whimsical spell, a very touching tapestry of emotions and moving beats with a quiet and soft RnB sensibility which is sure to hook her fans. It's more revealing than almost any album of 2008, which is certainly a brave move on her part, and her long-time collaborator Rodney "Dark Child" has thrown in some truly beautiful ballads. It's an artist pouring their heart-out, and as such it lacks the up-tempo pop hits that have characterised her previous efforts, but with its gentle pacing and elongated rhythms it definitely worth a listen.

The Definition: This is the perfect opening to Human; it has some of the most moving lyrics of the whole album with a heavy, danceable beat and some typically gorgeous vocals from Ms. Brandy. It sounds futurists with an instantly catchy tune and a very clever and up-tempo arrangement. It's probably the most 'pop' orientated song on the album due to some pitch-perfect techno and clubby influence but it still manages to build an involving story about recovering from tragedy 'I dropped all that baggage, Let go of that habit, The pain you can have it, Now I'm content with me' and accepting yourself without being saccharine or silly. Its easy to sing along with and has a summer feel which makes it perfect for jogging to. It reveals some of the 'issues' which are covered in the album but is more closely linked with her old work than the rest of the tracks. I love it (but then again I am inclined to love anything by Brandy) because of its maturity, excitement and dance-worthy backing. 9/10

Warm It Up: This shows a departure from Brandy's usual soft RnB style, with a slightly ethereal sound, a fun, bouncy beat, a catchy (if a little repetitive) chorus and some interesting lyrics. It's not my favourite hit off the album, due to the fact that it sounds a little bit like filler, but it definitely up-tempo enough to be enjoyable and memorable. It has a nice message about spreading kindness and respect and Brandy sounds as good as usual with some swelling orchestral moments, but it just doesn't reach the level of lyrical maturity that many of the other tunes do 'Only bout a day left till the world falls apart wishin' we could press restart, feeling like it's time for change, gotta be a reason why we loose our minds'. It has some interesting changes of pace in the middle which spice things up and there is an amazing riff towards the end that shows Brandy doing her thing brilliantly. It's definitely good to listen to but it won't leave much of an impression overall. 6/10

Right Here (Departed): This was chosen as the first single from the album and it is an amazing choice, it's inspiring, uplifting, memorable, clever and allows brandy to show off the various layers of her voice. It's up-tempo enough to grab your attention but has stunning ballad elements which makes the message more poignant. It almost serves as a catchy meditation on what it means to be a good friend and a salute to the strength of those willing to ask for help. It burns through the speakers with optimism and stunning, angelic vocals and has a really unique and fluid backing track which has hints of many different musical genres. It plays as a slightly muted and softness gospel prayer and really shows Brandy growing into her role as an 'artist' offering something truly refreshing and touching. The chorus kicks in and forces you to tap your toes and bounce along without being poppy and saccharine, only truly moving and energetic. Brandy urges the listener to stay strong and she truly gives it her all; it sounds like this represents a healing process and her emotions are truly present. 'When you feel your heart's guarded, And you see the break's started, When the clouds have all departed, You'll be right here with me'. 10/10

Piano Man: Many of Brandy's long-term fans have labelled with Brandy's best hit; it is thoughtful and syrupy sweet - rolling along like smooth honey to a softened techno beat that slowly builds into a rebel rousing chorus. Brandy sounds, arguably, the best she ever has with her husky, sensual voice melding perfectly with the fast pace and sensitive lyric. It displays a lot of variety in a single track with some incredible shifts in pace, melody and style and has a typically inspirational message. Despite its very futuristic sound it taps into a retro RnB sensibility; sensual, soft, engaging, exciting and extremely memorable… as her vocals starts to soar with 'Play me a song about heartache, I promise I could sing every word, Play me a song about love lost, 'cause that's another one everyone's heard, Strike up the band We can have the whole world singing tonight' it is hard not to sing along and dragged into the songs quietly sad and hopeful swell. It's obvious why this has become a fan favourite; it is truly gorgeous and sees Brandy step up to the plate brilliant, a gem of hit. 10/10

Long Distance: This is an extremely meaningful and insightful ballad about being in love, despite long distance difficulties. It was chosen as the second single due to the fact that it beautifully written, involving and shows Brandy on fine, fine form. It has a soaring chorus which sees Ms. Norwood scream 'with you is where I'd rather be, but we're stuck were we are, so hard, so far…this long distance is killing me'. It is the most soulful of any of the songs - with a lovely orchestral accompaniment and some truly moving moments; it's an out and out ballad but in the best sense of the word. It instantly captures the listener's attention with its simple piano and orchestral backing which allows Brandy's stunning voice to truly shine. It is really quite charming and stands out from the rest as a straight, but engrossing piece of balladry - and shows an amazing mix of light and shade. I have heard it performed as acapella and it is equally beautiful, it contains a ghostly, saddening quality that is really interesting. 9/10

Camouflage: This is the track which most resembles Brandy's Full Moon album; it is up-beat, fun and inspirational with some good 'you go girl' style lyrics and a nicely judged RnB vibe. It all about staying true to yourself and not sacrificing yourself for someone else's desires and gives Brandy a chance to tap into the bouncy, poppy side of her voice (which is as smooth as ever). Its one of the most instantly infectious songs on the album due to its jagged backing and jolly atmosphere and it serves as a complete change of pace from many of the more ballad heavy musical moments. It's fun and frivolous (and is done acapella style at the end of the album to great effect) and despite its more throw-away nature a really great deviation from Human's enduring theme of soft balladry. It demonstrates a stronger edge to Brandy's music and is lyrically mature 'I'm a work in progress,
I'm a seed grown into a flower, I'm a storm that's rising, and I'm getting stronger with every hour' without loosing a sense of fun. 9/10

Torn Down: This is probably the most tuneful and grown-up song on the Human album; it is extremely pleasant and has a really engaging chorus that really builds into something special. It has my favourite lyrics of the whole CD and is truly beautiful, quiet, strong and mesmerising - showing that Brandy has really evolved into her style with passionate, subtle and sad vocals. It is a very strong entry, using the building of a house as an analogue for life (which works surprisingly well) 'Built this love in 24 hours, Made it brick by brick by brick, reached my limit screaming, gimmie more power I cannot quit, won't quit' and it has a nice, glossy, guitar led backing that really brings out the poignancy of the lyrics. It is a very lovely break from Brandy's usual style as it adopts an almost gospel sensibility which is very effecting. It crescendos into a storm of conflicting emotions and uses repetition very nicely, showing a vulnerable side to the celebrity exterior. 9/10

Human: Human is one of the most disappointing tracks off the album; it is perfectly pleasant and has some sweet little twists but it never rises above diary-entry sentimentality and has a plodding pace that doesn't compliment Brandy silky, velvety vocals particularly well. It follows the same themes as many of the other songs 'I'm staring in the mirror and a stranger's looking back, What are you afraid of, girl? The future or the past? If you wanna see inside of me all you have to do is ask, I cry when you cry, I hurt when you hurt I've made mistakes but I can't turn back time' but on a slightly more superficial level than other entries. It most obviously alludes to Brandy's personal life, and for that she deserves kudos for bravery; but she just has more in her than this. The backing beat is pretty but unremarkable but it has a shadowy, ghostly sheen with is quite interesting. Brandy obviously tries to give it her all, but she doesn't quite manage to raise it above mediocrity. 6/10

Shattered Heart: It seems to me that this the most potential to be a big hit; it is an epic, foot stomping treat of a song - gorgeous, sensual, exciting, fast and with a really addictive chorus that, whilst repetitive, is frantic enough to keep you hooked. It is one of my favourite songs on the whole album because it shows Brandy doing something new and exploring a slightly more disco edge. The lyrics aren't as well crafted as some of the others; but they are better than many in the genre and the music is perfectly pitched - stylish and substantial. It has some amazing shifts in pace and rhythm (making it dynamic and really great to jog to) and has some truly impressive high notes for Brandy to tackle. The main hook of the song is faintly ridiculous 'I put my love in a jar, In my heart, like a piggybank, And I'm giving it to you, So whatever you do...' but the whole production is polished and the most fun out of the lot. It adds diversity to the album and always forces me to press the repeat button when it's over. A perfect summer hit…….. 10/10

True: After the hear hitting pop of Shattered Heart comes the heart-breaking and haunting True, which has to be some of Brandy's most beautiful work to date…. It is almost impossible pretty and extremely moving, with a stripped back backing and poignantly vulnerable lyrics. This encapsulates just why Brandy is one of the most talented artists recording today; she manages to convey a whole spectrum of emotions in a single note - True offers the listener a compelling story, wrapped up in a gorgeous melody. It is one of the best ballads I have heard in years - so sad, yet so hopeful; a believable and mature look at the very human cost of infidelity. As the songs draws to its stunning conclusion, Brandy blasts the song out of the stratosphere with her mix of power and subtlety adding to the poignancy of the lyrics 'In your arms I feel right at home, That's the feeling I ain't felt before. If you're feeling the same way then let me know, Cause there's nothing worse than being in love alone.' One of the most compelling tracks of her career. 10/10

Acapella: Brandy has managed to remain a superstar since the age of 15 for a number of reasons, one of which is her ability to do something completely different and reinvent her style. Acapella is an example of this; it shows Brandy using her voice as an instrument, her voice is layered and melded together to form a backing track; she replicates backing singers, a piano and other orchestral pieces. Its an extremely interesting experiment and it works - sort of. It's a little bizarre hearing hundreds of cuts of her voice all together - but it is a compelling song with great lyrics and offers something completely fresh. 8/10

1st and Love: This is Brandy bringing a retro RnB influence to her music and it is pitch-perfect, like a schoolyard chant with copious amounts of soul, style and substance. It is beat heavy (like a skipping song) with a brilliant pace and a truly engaging chorus and super cute vocals. It's a great mix of old-school and contemporary pop and is a real breathe of fresh air - it speeds up and slows down at random intervals keeping it bright. Its one of the most unique hits on the album, displaying some brilliantly polished production values and a few lyrical gems 'I ain't getting no younger,
So boy when I say love, I don't say it just to say love, I know better'. I really like the contrast between the young style melody and mature content; its bright, breezy, sunny as well as deep, intelligent and substantial. 8/10

Fall: This is the most typical of Brandy's music; stylish, sharp balladry with sweeter than sugar vocals and an instantly, impulsively enjoyable chorus. And believe me 'typical' for her is no bad thing. It is a wonderful ending to an exceptional album, interesting, diverse and exciting.

With Human Brandy reasserts herself as one of the most talented female artists around; she gives us a mature, sensitive and brilliant album of epic proportions with some insane hooks and a truly compelling mix of pop, RnB and soul. 

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