Jackson gets hip
THIS is Janet Jackson’s 10th studio album in her very long career as a singer. It is also her first album that does not feature her long-time producers and partners, Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam. Instead, Discipline sees a string of newer, hipper producers like the young Ne-Yo, Tricky Stewart, as well as current must-have hit makers Darkchild and Stargate. Of course, Jackson’s boyfriend Jermaine Dupri is also on the list.
However, all that slick producing and clever marketing mean nothing if the music fails to spark, and in the case of Discipline, the end result is a mixed bag. While younger listeners might revere this album and enjoy every single tune on it, older fans who have seen the singer’s many ups and downs in her musical career, might just file this under “Sorry, Ms Jackson. Try again.” Noteworthy tracks are few, and they include the first single Feedback, Rock With U (not to be mistaken for older brother Michael’s hit), 2Nite and Luv.
ON THIS album, Lupe Fiasco gets furious and urgent, rhyming about serious issues like poverty, family, glamour, and the not-so-wonderful state of the world in general. Outside the hard-hitting lyrical turns, The Cool is also an interesting album, filled with entertaining hooks, smart rhymes and beats that can’t be beat. From the hits Superstar (featuring Matthew Santos) and Dumb it Down (featuring Gemstones and Graham Durris), to the more challenging Little Weapon, Paris, Tokyo and Hello/Goodbye (featuring Unkle), this album is a good listen throughout, confirming Lupe Fiasco as a name on the up.
However, all that slick producing and clever marketing mean nothing if the music fails to spark, and in the case of Discipline, the end result is a mixed bag. While younger listeners might revere this album and enjoy every single tune on it, older fans who have seen the singer’s many ups and downs in her musical career, might just file this under “Sorry, Ms Jackson. Try again.” Noteworthy tracks are few, and they include the first single Feedback, Rock With U (not to be mistaken for older brother Michael’s hit), 2Nite and Luv.
ON THIS album, Lupe Fiasco gets furious and urgent, rhyming about serious issues like poverty, family, glamour, and the not-so-wonderful state of the world in general. Outside the hard-hitting lyrical turns, The Cool is also an interesting album, filled with entertaining hooks, smart rhymes and beats that can’t be beat. From the hits Superstar (featuring Matthew Santos) and Dumb it Down (featuring Gemstones and Graham Durris), to the more challenging Little Weapon, Paris, Tokyo and Hello/Goodbye (featuring Unkle), this album is a good listen throughout, confirming Lupe Fiasco as a name on the up.
