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When he wasn’t busy producing a new album for Justin Bieber, Usher found the time to record one of his own. Much like it’s hard to take teenage protégé Bieber seriously, Usher’s sixth record, “Raymond v. Raymond,” struggles to make a sophisticated and grown-up statement...
During the recording of “Raymond v. Raymond,” Usher filed for divorce from his wife Tameka. This event supposedly pushed his songwriting in a more personal, confessional direction. This is a similar formula to the one used on his fourth album, which was actually entitled “Confessions” and followed his separation from his long-term girlfriend, TLC’s Chilli. By reviving this formula, Usher may be hoping to return to the massive success he achieved with “Confessions.” However, “Raymond...
Usher’s songwriting staple—sharply produced R&B odes to love, often found in a club—is pretty well known by now, and no amount of personal issues are going to change it. Sticking to this staple, however, is not guaranteed to deliver Usher chart-topping hits. Whereas “Confessions” shifted close to 10 million copies in the U.S. and spawned four number one hits, Usher’s last album, 2008’s “Here I Stand,” failed to reach the success...
...Raymond v. Raymond.” A perfect example of this is “OMG,” featuring and produced by The Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am, perhaps the most ridiculous track. Another ode to club hookups, the lyrics show that a poet Usher is not, as he laughably attempts to describe the woman he has fallen for by singing, “Honey got a booty like pow, pow, pow / Honey got some boobies like...
Between bookends describing his sexual exploits, Usher does actually reach the confessional aspect of the album. “Papers” sounds like a legitimately heartfelt song about the troubles Usher has been facing during his divorce. Going through all of his difficulties with soaring vocals, “I damn near lost my mamma / I been through so much drama / I done turned into the man that I never thought I’d be / I’m ready to sign them papers.” Unlike many of the other songs, “Paper?...