Ne-Yo is back again with his fifth studio album, R.E.D. (which stands for "Realizing Every Dream"). The R&B superstar keeps things simple on this album as he was very involved in the process of the album. He wrote nearly every song on the album and has little auto-tune, which is a refreshing change from most of the stuff we hear these days. Here's Hit Zone's track-by-track review of the 14 tracks on the standard edition of the R.E.D., which hits stores and iTunes today (November 6). |
1.) Cracks in Mr. Perfect
The song was originally supposed to be the title track of the album until Ne-Yo decided to change it to R.E.D. The track see's the R&B star opening up to his fans and being honest, a great song to open up the album.
The song was originally supposed to be the title track of the album until Ne-Yo decided to change it to R.E.D. The track see's the R&B star opening up to his fans and being honest, a great song to open up the album.
2.) Lazy Love
This track is a great bedroom ready ballad, very similar to his previous love-making hits.
This track is a great bedroom ready ballad, very similar to his previous love-making hits.
3.) Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)
My personal favorite from the album and one of my favorite songs of the year is this one. "Let Me Love You" brought Ne-Yo back to top 40 radio around the world as his first top 10 hit as a solo artist since "Miss Independent" in 2008. The song has a nice, uplifting message to girls who feel insecure about themselves.
My personal favorite from the album and one of my favorite songs of the year is this one. "Let Me Love You" brought Ne-Yo back to top 40 radio around the world as his first top 10 hit as a solo artist since "Miss Independent" in 2008. The song has a nice, uplifting message to girls who feel insecure about themselves.
4.) Miss Right
A nice gentle track where Ne-Yo sings about his perfect woman in a very polite, gentleman like way.
A nice gentle track where Ne-Yo sings about his perfect woman in a very polite, gentleman like way.
5.) Jealous
A nice, catchy R&B tune. It's another one of my personal favorites on the album.
A nice, catchy R&B tune. It's another one of my personal favorites on the album.
6.) Don't Make Em Like You (feat. Wiz Khalifa)
Ne-Yo teams up with rapper Wiz Khalifa for the first of two collaborations on R.E.D. The rap is pretty awesome and the song in general is one that will have you singing along in no time.
Ne-Yo teams up with rapper Wiz Khalifa for the first of two collaborations on R.E.D. The rap is pretty awesome and the song in general is one that will have you singing along in no time.
7.) Be The One
Lovin' this track from Ne-Yo, another midtempo track with awesome instrumentals that make you anticipate the song speeding up but instead remains at the perfect speed. It's a little bit like "Let Me Love You" in a way and it's another one of my personal favorites on R.E.D.
Lovin' this track from Ne-Yo, another midtempo track with awesome instrumentals that make you anticipate the song speeding up but instead remains at the perfect speed. It's a little bit like "Let Me Love You" in a way and it's another one of my personal favorites on R.E.D.
8.) Stress Reliever
Back to the bedroom with this track. The lyrics of "Stress Reliever" are intimate and quiet while at the same time keeping it clean throughout.
Back to the bedroom with this track. The lyrics of "Stress Reliever" are intimate and quiet while at the same time keeping it clean throughout.
9.) She Is (feat. Tim McGraw)
Ne-Yo goes country in this duet with country superstar, Tim McGraw! It's another nice ballad from Ne-Yo that has a more acoustic sound than we're used to with the use of guitar in the background and Tim McGraw's vocals are a nice touch in this unexpected and unique pairing.
Ne-Yo goes country in this duet with country superstar, Tim McGraw! It's another nice ballad from Ne-Yo that has a more acoustic sound than we're used to with the use of guitar in the background and Tim McGraw's vocals are a nice touch in this unexpected and unique pairing.
10.) Carry On (Her Letter To Him)
The R&B star takes a different approach on this song and sings from the female perspective of things. It's about a women walking away from a relationship and Ne-Yo does a great job on it.
The R&B star takes a different approach on this song and sings from the female perspective of things. It's about a women walking away from a relationship and Ne-Yo does a great job on it.
11.) Forever Now
Another one of my favorite tracks on the album and one I could see being used for a future single for top 40 radio. "Forever Now" is a upbeat, dance track that has Ne-Yo mourning a breakup.
Another one of my favorite tracks on the album and one I could see being used for a future single for top 40 radio. "Forever Now" is a upbeat, dance track that has Ne-Yo mourning a breakup.
12.) Shut Me Down
Another great dance track from Ne-Yo comes on "Shut Me Down." It has a great, catchy chorus that will have you singing along, but it doesn't have the same pop-like style that we hear in "Let Me Love You" and "Forever Now." A great song nonetheless.
Another great dance track from Ne-Yo comes on "Shut Me Down." It has a great, catchy chorus that will have you singing along, but it doesn't have the same pop-like style that we hear in "Let Me Love You" and "Forever Now." A great song nonetheless.
13.) Unconditional
"Unconditional" is the next track up and it's one that has a sound that reminds me of his 2008 hit song "Closer." It's a great song and stays true to the tune of R.E.D.
"Unconditional" is the next track up and it's one that has a sound that reminds me of his 2008 hit song "Closer." It's a great song and stays true to the tune of R.E.D.
14.) Burning Up
Another great dance-pop tune closes out another great album from Ne-Yo!
Another great dance-pop tune closes out another great album from Ne-Yo!
Final Verdict: 9/10 - Lots of great music on R.E.D. for Ne-Yo fans and R&B music lovers. It's got dance-pop tracks, intimate bedroom tracks, and just great songs that have a nice beat and you can sing along to. It's topped off with little auto tune and knowing Ne-Yo wrote the majority of the album makes it all the more better.
Posted By: Joe