Brandy
Human

Four years after the disappointing "Afrodisiac," Brandy Rayana Norwood, better known as Brandy, returns with her fifth studio album that was released a few days ago, "Human."

A well-known artist in the R&B genre, after enjoying abundant fame in the 90s, her popularity has visibly declined with the onset of the new millennium and the advent of new undeserving artists, especially in our country where Brandy's product, except in some cases (like the teen-friendly "The Boy Is Mine" in collaboration with Monica, and the hit "Full Moon") never fully took off.

"Human" is mostly produced by the indispensable ally Rodney Jerkins "Darkchild", returning to collaborate with Brandy after the fate of the previous album was entrusted to the ubiquitous Timbaland. This time they offer us an album with classic tones that take us back to the glorious 90s period. "Human" is filled with stylistic features like synthesized strings, piano, choruses, soothing sounds, and valid ballads in which Norwood, as a singer, and Jerkins, as a beatmaker, stood out as major exponents. This comes as a sort of surprise for B-Rocka fans, who left with uptempo dance tracks and the classic heavy beats of Timbo.

Now it is the sensual and warm voice of Brandy, the refined beats of the long-time musical partner Darkchild that return as protagonists, and Brandy significantly gains in vocal expression and quality: I have to be honest, I didn’t expect an album of this caliber from what for the past decade has been my favorite R&B singer. It’s clear how it seems to return to the sounds that made her famous. This is noticeable from the very first track "The Definition", a valid midtempo, where the vocal lines reveal themselves as very inspired, the beat, slightly reminiscent of Timbaland, with toms and percussion, works great. Darkchild (in case there were any doubts) always confirms as the number one in the genre, a piece that, although clearly designed for listening, could also make a strong impact on the dance floor. More intimate is "Warm It Up (With Love)", calm and to be in company, compensates for a somewhat banal beat thanks to excellent piano accompaniments and good electronic ideas that highlight how quality is not lacking at this beginning. "Right Here (Departed)" is the highly anticipated first single that precedes the comeback, released a few months ago and properly assimilated, finds its strong point in the very catchy but never tacky chorus, the arrangement is well done and pleasant, also remarkable is the video that accompanies it, touching and heartfelt. With "Piano Man" we take a more current turn, the modern beat made of saw arpeggios, tight drums, and synthesized leads refers to the recent productions of Young Yeezy and Timbaland, beatmakers who are currently riding high in the crowded Urban scene.

After a beautiful interlude with Brandy on the phone accompanied by epic pads, the sweet notes of "Long Distance" arrive, a ballad recently chosen as the second single, at times styled like early Alicia Keys, here Brandy delights us with a truly stunning interpretation, which together with Rodney's sweet base, made of piano, smooth strings, and orchestral elements will make it one of the most exciting tracks of "Human", the arrangement is, in fact, the most complex and inspired of the album. Radio-friendly and catchy is "Camouflage". Following is "Torn Down": it is a production by Midi Mafia, a carefree strumming perfectly in line with the "StargateProd" style, and a simple yet effective sound backdrop shapes a fairly decent piece overall.

"Human", as befits any respectable title track, immediately rises to a sure impact radio track, a composition of very high caliber that, apart from being one of the highest peaks of the album, rightfully enters among the best songs ever produced by the Brandy/Darkchild duo. Deep and moving in a continuous musical crescendo, it will eventually culminate in a magnificent chorus where our artist particularly excels, even reaching high tones that I never disdain and that are nevertheless not in her usual range, a true gem.

Oriental and mystical influences in the captivating "Shattered Dreams", the last track of the album signed by Darkchild. "True", produced by RedOne (already very convincing in recent productions for Lady GaGa's album) is delicate and melancholic with ethereal chords that tie excellently with Brandy's celestial singing, still in great form, it is undoubtedly the best track of the album. Like all Brandy fans, I was amazed by the direction of this masterpiece, which seems to closely echo the glory of the second album "Never Say Never", specifically with many similarities to the classic "Tomorrow", and since the latter is Brandy's piece I prefer the most in her fifteen-year career, I couldn't help but adore this "True" from the first moment.

"Acapella (Something Is Missin)", as the title suggests, is a very peculiar acapella piece, as it is the voice itself that replaces real instruments, and the result is quite intriguing. The album closes with "1st & Love", banal and completely out of place (but after so much grace, a low point is absolutely permissible... or rather "Human"), and the lovely "Fall", co-written with Natasha Bedingfield, a worthy closing piece with a vague pop flavor.

An excellent album, a comeback worthy of the name, undoubtedly an excellent selection job was done, with productions mostly branded by Darkchild, always a guarantee. Rodney has repeatedly demonstrated that he works better and more in sync with Brandy than with the numerous other singers he has produced.

At the moment, the album isn't doing very well in terms of sales, but I can guarantee that "Human" is a truly deserving work. Just listen to the attached preview to confirm the incredible voice of this girl, and it's a shame that the records that emerge in the charts and the questionable commercial scene are often of low value.

Recommended for those wanting to listen to an hour of fine R&B and why not, take a dive back to the magical 90s, it is not a small feat given the degraded state of current R&B.