Just when you thought true R&B had lost its soul, Lyfe Jennings returns with his third studio album, "Lyfe Change," which is sure to delight R&B lovers everywhere. The album features the raw R&B sound fans have come to expect and love from Jennings, and it also has a few new musical elements.
The most obvious change in Jennings' latest album is the absence of the song-to-song narration that had become his trademark. While his previous albums had an average of 22 tracks because of the narration, "Lyfe Change" only has 15 tracks.
Jennings also teamed up with some of music's biggest names on his new album. "You Think You've Got It Bad" features producer and singer Wyclef Jean and "Old School" features rapper Snoop Dogg. "You Think You've Got It Bad" is a Bob Marley inspired song with a heavy bass, where Jennings adds a reggae twist to his vocals to match Jean's natural Haitian accent.
"Old School" is one of the only up-tempo tracks on the album and in the song Jennings reminisces about his days spent living in poverty. Snoop's laid-back rap style compliments the dance-beat perfectly and gives the song mainstream appeal.
As a whole "Lyfe Change" has a relaxing vibe that is perfect for a long drive or a quiet summer day. Although some of the songs have a heavy bass, the music never overpowers the lyrics or Jennings' amazing voice.
One of the most impressive things about Jennings' music is that rather than glorifying and boasting about his shady past, he chooses to use his music as a cautionary tale for others. With every Lyfe Jennings album, fans are allowed to see further into the singer's soul and connect with him on a deeper level. From his first CD, "Lyfe 268-192," (the numbers represent his actual prison I.D. number) to "Lyfe Change," Jennings has always been honest about his past and has made it a point to never glamorize his experiences.
From songs about love, to growing up poor, to sexually transmitted diseases, Jennings is never afraid to paint a brutally honest portrait of reality. On "It's Real," Jennings sings about the reality of AIDS, demonstrating how a night of passion can lead to a life-threatening disease. On the track he sings, "AIDS is real / Don't care how you feel / Yes I want to chill / But I gotta wrap it up / I gotta protect us." At a time when Billboard's top ten consists of songs like "Touch My Body" and "Lollipop," it's refreshing to see artists incorporate socially conscious messages into their music.
With so much emphasis placed on Jennings' lyrics and music it's easy to overlook his vocals, which is the final component to his musical masterpiece. His voice, which is reminiscent of deceased soul crooner Sam Cooke, has both a roughness and tenderness that shows his masculinity and his tender side. The mixture of streetness and vulnerability in his voice will allow fans to connect with him on a very deep and personal level. On "Will I Ever" and "Hmmm," Jennings' vocals are definitely at their best.
What makes "Lyfe Change" one of the must-have albums of the summer is that Jennings doesn't rely on over-produced tracks and mediocre vocals to create a hit album. The album uses simple beats with thought-provoking lyrics that people everywhere can relate to. On "Lyfe Change" it's clear that the singer has not let fame change him and that he is still able to relate to his fans.
Critic's Conclusion: "Lyfe Change" is not an album you play to "get the party started." It's something that deserves a listener's full attention and respect. Jennings new tagline should be "voice of the people" because the artist truly has a unique ability to connect with his fans and create songs that listeners of any age, race or gender can relate.
While the majority of R&B singers are gradually incorporating house and dance music into their sound, it's refreshing to hear an artist who doesn't have to hop on the musical bandwagon to stay relevant.
There is nothing fake or marketed about Lyfe Jennings; "Lyfe Change" is a beautiful work of art and is undoubtedly R&B at its best. The production is amazing, the writing is amazing and the album as a whole is amazing. The only negative thing about the album is that there aren't more songs. A+
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