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 Fresh
on the back of recent hit singles Closer and Miss Independent,
R&B star, Ne-Yo, makes a bold attempt to seduce the world with
album, Year of the Gentleman.
Having already penned tracks for the likes of Rihanna, Beyonce and
Michael Jackson, the Grammy-winning artist is no stranger to churning
out hits-a-plenty, and ‘Year of the Gentleman’ is a perfect testament to
the 28 year-old’s song writing prowess.
With smooth, alluring vocals penetrating an assortment of sounds, Ne-Yo
specialises in soul-infused pop, perfect for seducing a potential
partner on a romantic Saturday night in, whilst at the same time
providing the ideal backdrop for a lazy Sunday morning chill-out.
From the opening disco-inspired intro of lead track, Closer,
though the bouncy, ebullient Nobody, a tune which wouldn’t have
sounded all that out of place on a outing from the aforementioned
Michael Jackson, ‘Year of the Gentleman’ sees Ne-Yo’s silky singing
slither up close into the bosom of the fairer sex and work his
honest, sickly-sweet charms.
Though most male R&B stars are what you might call ‘one for the ladies’,
Ne-Yo takes such a concept to new, enticing extremes. With a passionate
voice crooning throughout slick, tender ballads such as Mad and
buyout floor-fillers in the vein of the shuffling Miss Independent,
his attempts at both serenading and hailing the opposite sex could come
across as an insincere attempt at getting straight to bedroom.
Thankfully, they don’t. As earnest and genuine as you could hope for,
Ne-Yo pens heartfelt, well-crafted songs with unparalleled sensitivity
and a flare for smart, sophisticated lyrics.
Cut from the same cloth as the likes of Usher and, to a great extent, R
Kelly, this wordsmith supreme has done a fine job with ‘Year of the
Gentleman’, an album sure to achieve its primary aim of having women the
world over swooning in their droves.
• Ne-Yo releases ‘Year of the Gentleman’ on September 15th through
Def Jam Records.
In a nutshell: Soft, smooth and sensitive soul-inspired pop
from one of R&B’s premier songwriters.
You might like this if you enjoy: Usher, R Kelly, Michael
Jackson.
Recommended link:
www.defjam.co.uk/neyo
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