Michael Jackson
Invincible

THE REVIEW

Album Review: Invincible by Michael Jackson

In 2001, one of the most influential pop artists in musical history released what would be his last studio album during his lifetime. Four years had already passed since Jackson's last album in 1997, "Blood on the Dancefloor," a rather experimental album that collected remixes of his previous hits from the album History. At the end of the 90s, the singer set out to compose a completely new album, ensuring the collaboration of some of the greatest producers and music composers of the time, including Rodney Jerkins, Babyface, and Teddy Riley. Yet, behind the scenes, there were also some of the best sound engineers to make "Invincible" an original and unprecedented album.

Michael Jackson has always been known and renowned for his productions that are ahead of the times with arrangements and melodies. In addition, Michael brought in some great voices for the choruses and features, including the late rapper Notorious Big and Brandy, not to mention the melodious and haunting sound of Carlos Santana's guitar. After two intense years spent in the recording studios of New York and Los Angeles, and with the impressive budget of 45 million dollars, the album "Invincible" was born, preceded by great expectations and the more than promising promotional single "You Rock My World". But let's move on to the critical analysis of the 16 tracks present on the album:

"Unbreakable" is the opener chosen to introduce the listener to an atmosphere of electronic sounds and syncopated drum and keyboard rhythms. Michael's voice is energetic and furious, singing about his resilience to the challenges he has faced in life, affirming that despite everything, he is still standing. The track is a fusion of hip-hop and urban, with a virtual rap interlude featuring the late Notorious Big, who passed away in '96. The piece is very powerful and would have been a great hit single if it had been released.

"Heartbreaker" has a frenzied electronic and digital drum rhythm, full of presence, where Jackson sings about a cold love with a woman whose only amusement is breaking hearts. The rhythm is very hip-hop, echoing the rhythmic pattern of the previous track with R&B influences. The bridge is very sophisticated and well-supported by the choir, making it a good electronic piece.

"Invincible", the third track, is the album's title track and follows the rhythms and electronic drums of the previous songs. In this song, the singer talks about his attempt to win over a woman who is perpetually dissatisfied and almost unreachable on an emotional level. The antiseptic atmosphere makes the track a bit rigid to listen to, but it's certainly very danceable, and indeed it would also make a good club banger. Michael's final vocalizations are sensational and impassioned.

"Break of Dawn", the hip-hop atmosphere tried so far gives way to more melodious and soft tones with this fourth very relaxing and "smooth" track. The theme of the song is very romantic and sensual without falling into vulgarity. The electronic drum slows, allowing the R&B to flow toward sweet atmospheres accompanied by bird songs and synthesizers and keyboards that evoke the morning atmosphere. Michael's voice is very relaxed and pleasant to listen to.

"Heaven Can Wait", the soft atmosphere becomes almost dreamy when the choir opens this track with very R&B vibes. An ethereal and angelic love surrounds the listener with this heavenly song. The singer's romantic voice is appreciated for its remarkable peaks and highs, but the choir plays a fundamental role in the chorus, highlighting Michael's intent to stay alive to continue loving.

"You Rock My World", the ballad's atmospheres give way for a few minutes to a mid-tempo now considered a Michael evergreen. This is the first single from the album, and having received a rather warm welcome, it greatly increased the expectations for this album. The keyboards and choirs take us back to a romantic and danceable '80s atmosphere, one of the best tracks of the album, accompanied by a video that takes us back to the times of "Smooth Criminal".

"Butterflies", the pace slows down again with "Butterflies," a very R&B piece full of soft melodies and very extensive vocalizations. Jackson's falsetto reaches great heights in this song with dreamy atmospheres. Jackson's voice is sometimes accompanied by a female voice, merging with Michael's to create a wonderful and much-appreciated vocal synergy. This song echoes the rhythm of "I Can't Help It" by Jackson himself on the "Off the Wall" album from 1979.

"Speechless", Michael's a cappella voice opens this very symphonic and soft-sounding track. Michael's warm voice is simply sublime and moving; "Speechless" is truly a magnificent artistic gem. The choirs and orchestra alternate with incredible mastery, and everything concludes once again with Michael's a cappella voice that truly leaves us speechless.

"2000 Watts", the electronic drum of this track brings us back to reality after the dream of "Speechless". Perhaps the overly energetic rhythm of the track, breaking the harmonious atmospheres of "Speechless," does not fully embrace the listener. The peculiarity of this track is the singer's voice, which was pitch-altered to lower it by two tones, making it difficult to recognize unless due to the cadence of the words.

"You Are My Life", this melodic R&B piece with soul elements is dedicated to Michael's daughter. A love dedication perhaps a bit too sappy but inevitably touching the soul of those who listen. The piece was arranged by Baby Face.

"Privacy", the soft tones stop, replaced by the album's rock track. Perhaps rock is the least present element in this album, much more oriented toward R&B. "Privacy" is a protest cry where the singer claims his right to privacy in his everyday life. The singer's voice is stressed and altered, but it hits the mark, accompanied by a solo from guitarist Slash.

"Don't Walk Away", is the twelfth track on the album, a very romantic and sad piece in which Michael sings of a love lost that he never wanted to lose. What remains are the memories. Vocalizations dominate this song, especially in the choruses well accompanied by strings and violins.

"Cry" is Richard Kelly's signature piece that addresses the social themes of brotherhood among all men marked by a common destiny. The tones are hopeful and cry out for unity among the peoples of the world. The piece is a crescendo starting from the beatbox to the drums, accompanied by piano, reaching its peak with increasingly resounding soul-gospel choirs in the finale.

"The Lost Children", in this piece, Michael sets aside all his million-dollar collaborations to write and compose solely on his own this anthem to childhood and love for children. The atmospheres are sweet and prayer-like, with an unexpected bridge accompanied by the acoustic guitar taking us into long-forgotten atmospheres. The finale is marked by a choir of children's voices.

"Whatever Happens", all the passion and romantic love are captured in this splendid track by Michael Jackson and Carlos Santana. Perhaps the best track on the album, Jackson's voice is painful and passionate narrating about enduring love despite the adversities. Santana's guitar interludes transport us to Latin places; this track would have been an excellent closing single for the album, perfect for romance in the European and Latin market.

"Threatened",  the voice of a 70s presenter, Rod Serling, introduces us to the eerie and spectral atmospheres of this last track, where the frantic rhythms, electronic drums, and electronic sounds remind us of the first three tracks of "Invincible". Michael assumes the guise of an evil spirit that does not leave in peace those who tormented him in life; the computerized rap of Rod Serling is ingenious, and the gloomy atmospheres recall the funky disco of "Thriller" or "Ghost".

In conclusion, Invincible is a highly collaborative and super-produced album, and despite expectations, it did not achieve the desired result, even though the 12 million copies sold remind us that the album was still a notable success. What is striking is that once again, Michael hits the mark, creating a work that could easily have passed for a contemporary 2011 record, ten years that don't show for this magnificent and passionate album that will forever remain etched in musical history despite attempts of boycott by the record label itself, Sony, following contractual issues with the singer. If the album had received an excellent advertising campaign bolstered by a few more music videos, the fate of the album would have certainly been brighter and more memorable. Invincible is presented as a misunderstood work that holds pleasant surprises. It certainly deserves a purchase.