Regardless of their more recent failures or successes, some celebrities remain inextricably linked to a past incident instead of their craft. Names such as Ike Turner and O.J. Simpson come to mind as transcendent talents who crossed the line separating fame from infamy. There are moments on his sixth studio album X that would lead you to believe Chris Brown can vie for the title of the best pop vocalist of the current lot hoping to be considered as a modern heir apparent to Michael Jackson. And while he approaches excellence on the surface, for some listeners his less-than-stellar criminal record places a glass ceiling on the overall excellence of any of his recorded material. Thus, with half of X representing some of Pop R&B’s most impressive cuts of 2014 (while, yes, the other half feeling dreadfully uninspired), Brown still faces being supremely talented yet always far less than optimally successful.
“Loyal” ran the summer, and aside from the Michael Jackson appropriating album lead-in single “Fine China” (available on the deluxe version), is the best-known hits on the album to-date. Like a great deal of the material on X, the NicNac production has two guest features (Tyga and Lil Wayne) and bears a strong resemblance to much of DJ Mustard’s mid-tempo club anthems that have dominated the past 12 months. It’s as if the song’s relaxed tempo invites relaxed emceeing and songwriting too, as the number of incredibly vapid and obviously misogynistic come-ons here reaches a near uncomfortable level.
Dance culture is here too. The progressive House track “Don’t Be Gone Too Long” lacks a powerful and earnest enough vocal performance to buoy the barely-there synths and the UK funky-meets-dub bass of Razihel’s “Body Shots” is reminiscent of Katy B’s work on Magnetic Man’s 2012 single “I Need Air,” meaning that the usually on point Brown is about two years off-trend regarding the ever evolving world of dance. Diplo takes the reigns for eponymous and Trap-as-EDM, 808 and synth laser-driven single “X,” which, in Brown emphatically stating that “[he] swears to god he’s moving on!” is either an amazing kiss-off to well documented on again/off again flame Rihanna, or an angry note to on again/off again mate Karreuche Tran. And that’s the thing with Brown and X. The overwhelming majority of artists would get the benefit of addressing a hypothetical ex. Aside from “Team Breezy,” which listeners will extend Brown the courtesy of painting himself the victim? Is the reference to being “put on layaway” not a shot at Rihanna splitting time between Brown and Rap superstar Drake?
X’s weakest points are where Brown absolutely does too much and is off-course in his answers to commercially popular and guitar-driven styles. “Autumn Leaves” is definitely soulful, yet in feeling entirely too lyrically bathed in Brown’s lovelorn and litigious past, can’t even be saved by the introspective lyrical talents of Kendrick Lamar. “See You Around?” Well, the less said about Chris Brown aping the style and sound of jug-band rockers Mumford and Sons, the better.
The album’s strongest suit is in traditional love-sexy rhythm and blues. These work in part because Brown enlists some of his peers to play to their strong suits. Usher co-opts his 2008 hit “Love In This Club” for “New Flame.” Brown and fellow R. Kelly disciple Trey Songz drop trite R. Kelly song titles as puns on Mel and Mus’ soulful trap ballad “Songs On 12 Play,” while “Drown In It” is an out in the open ode to cunnilingus—Kellz the master joining his student on a hyper-sexual duet with lyrics swaddled in simmering bass.
Thankfully, X also has offerings that are outstanding in their own unique ways. Female duets “Drunk Texting” and “Do Better” are likely odes to things Brown himself is likely quite well acquainted with of late. Both Jhene Aiko and Brandy respectively delivering mature performances that when melded with Brown’s sometimes juvenile real-life behavior make both listens feel like more conversations on Brown’s current life than mere Pop ditties. “Stereotype” finds Danja producing something that grabs deep into the past (Stevie Wonder-style, Moog-type synths) and blends it with the energy of big-room house handclaps and trapped out bass for a true winner. When Brown labels his ex a negative “stereotype” that he’d like to forget, it’s a message that Brown—after being heartbroken for three albums—is hopefully ready to move on to a new (and hopefully lyrically and sonically fresh) chapter of his life.
Personality aside, Chris Brown’s ability to succeed artistically at delivering sounds in all three sectors of urban Pop makes this release a great, yet disjointed listen. From commercially dominant ratchet Rap/Soul to heartfelt and yearning album cuts to EDM-styled party tracks, Brown’s attempts at appealing to all corners of the urban Pop spectrum at-present are commendable, but possibly a case of the vocalist doing too much.
FIRE
i give 5 because chris has really improved his skills this time, and more matured ..
^^LMAO!!!!!!!!!!
AOTY
Love Every Song On The Album, Chris Out Did Himself On x
This deserves as much stars as on the cover!!
Probably the best album out of his catalog
This album beats last Rihannas album
thats one of the funnier things i’ve seen
bullshit
very average album. too much is being done. too many songs for only 6-7 being good.
Perfect!
Hip Hop Dx doesn’t know what they are talking about. This album is the shit. 5 stars
Chris brown is perfect man ! Good dance, good songs and beautiful voice
This album is 4.5-5 stars. I give it a five cause there are too many haters when it’s the best work he’s done
Half The Album Was Weak
Chris Brown the women beater has nothing to do with hiphop. So why an review DX?
shut the fuck up…. one thing that is wrong with haters is that they only look at chris brown when they are talking bout someone that beat up a girl
WHAT BOUT RAY RICE WHAT BOUT NICK CAGE
AND MANY MORE GET OFF HIS FUCKN BACK WOULD YA
I think a few songs are definitely weak. But this is probably his strongest album to date. The lyrics have improved, the production is much stronger (aside from Came To Do) and it’s more cohesive. 4 stars because nothing is perfect
Every song is amzing. Stop hating on the man just because he’s trying new things. Chris’ voice has matured so much and I’m loving it !
Dopest album since Exclusive
yas
criticizing music is fuckin stupid im tired of it, how are you even gonna critique something u dont fully understand? and why are we listening to music again? please fill me in cus nowadays we dont appreciate shit. theres no rules in music… none. and wtf is doing too much? im done.
This is arguably Chris browns best effort Ever hands flown best Rnb Album of 2014
I don’t care about chris brown im looking for hip hop
X is gonna be the best album that has ever come out
this is not about sex and shit like that it has more meaning to it
forget about Loyal that was just for fun
this has a real meaning
COOL ALBUM FOR AN R&B JOINT
Why is when Chris or Rihanna someone always has to throw one or the other in the mix!
chriss breezyyy
X WTF is doing to music. Ya’ll no nothing about music and are so irrelevant. X is the best album put out this year and Chris’ album sales are gonna prove it. Music critics are just failed bitter musician wannabes and are envious of successful musicians fame such as Chris Brown’s. Fall back
Album is soooo good!
Right!!!! What is doing too much. They obviously couldn’t come up with a reasonably bad critic for the album. Pathetic
Best to date.
POP MUSIC FOREVER, FUCK HIP HOP!!!!!!!
don’t buy this album. buy my album instead. I’m larry gashi. g4shi.
The best for the yr I know it
LOL you fool.
TEAM BREEEEEEEZY
Team BREEZY
Team breezy
shit
and more sh*t
I agree I’m disappointed. Not as bad as Graffiti. But definitely behind F.A.M.E, Fourtune, Exclusive, and even his dbut album is alot better. I’m a huge fan but I’m not going to be a fanboy this is not very good.
Whats with all the “one name” commenters on this comment section, most likely all spam accounts or one person. We all know this album is fucking shit, fuck chris brown “woman beater, fake blood”
people make mistakes he shouldnt be blame for some thing he did in the past he’s the best talented creative artist that i ever known in my whole life he deserve the best and this album is dope!!!!!!!! fuck ya haters…..!!!!!
drake ended this clowns carreer. He shouldn’t have messed with a real gangster like drake.
Uh lol Drake grew up in a middle class home. NOTHING GANGSTER about him….
funny you comparing a r&b/pop artist ti a hip pop artist. shows you how much drake has grown foh the the bs
The best album of his career.
Not even close F.A.M.E and Fortune kills this easily.
I’m fucking with it
ALBUM IS DOPE AS FUCK, YALL SOME HATERS AS USUAL
Dope
Finally Chris Brown uses his talents.
This album is awesome. What a talented singer Chris!
dope
This record solidifies Chris as an innovative and creative force in the world of Pop and R&B. The tracks are intricate, and vocals are strategically place to really be home his sound. Carefully thought out collaborations with R. Kelly, Jhene Aiko, and Trey Songz to name a few. The boy can sing! This album shows growth, and will have the industry coming up to his standard if other artists want to remain relevant. Two words, “Autumn Leaves”! Just sick…….Bravo Breezy! Bravo!
He killed it !!
its z best album he always come with a great work love all the tracks in the album love ya chris team breezy for ever
yah Right F.A.M.E and Fortune are both alot better than this. This album is over hyped big time.
o.m.g zis album is so great i loved it he’s so talented
love every single, especially body shots #teambreezy #teambreezyaustralia
love every song
Love all the songs
It’s a solid album. Some of the tracks are a little too clubby/poppy for me but when he sticks to that R&B, he can pull off some nice tracks.
It’s too bad that he’s likely gonna end up ruining his own career due to his immaturity but he is a talented kid.
Career? What career? You mean the one where he spends his time copying drake’s moves? He’s basically a drake wannabe in almost every way. The only difference is that drake gets down on women during sex while brown beats them sadistically almost to death.
…. Chris Brown was famous before Drake and is more talented idiot….
this is wack as fuck !!! nowadays you can compensate your lack of ability to sing with the magic called autotune…and you people buy it !bullshit like this is why so many people hate on rnb smh
100% agree this is his worst album since “Graffiti” and I don’t no which one was worse. I am super disappointed with this album.
totally agree.
I love this album. I feel like he tried to get back to his R&B roots. I can sit down and listen to this album and be able to relate to the lyrics. I can’t find myself doing that with most artists songs lately. Chris Brown did good on this one.
I love this album..there are three songs that stuck out the most and I had to put on replay. There are songs where my emotions are pouring out because it’s real and deep…things people can relate to. I’m glad I bought the album, but I didn’t doubt the album any second #teambreezy all day!!!! Thanks Chris Brown, haven’t heard good music in a whole!
I was a little underwhelmed by this album after all the delays and the bangers he’s being doing with his crew kid Ink etc. I expected more. This album in no shape or form is Better than F.A.M.E or Forturne both those albums blows this out of the water. Its slow and and Disappointing. I disagree with this review totally cause after listening to the album the way they discribed of being all over the Place DJ mustard style its not even close to that. Its slow and boring and couple of good songs at the most. I don’t have the delux edtiojn so maybe thats better but the regular edition is not great. 2/5 stars.
Very nice music, love all the song good job Chris
All this talk shows how completely subjective our musical tastes are. Some people are hating and some are loving. I loved Graffiti (so did the Grammy committee), have NO use for Fortune. X has some great pieces and some real trash
Y’all are bugging this album is fire. It has meaning. Lyrics talks about something you guys are just simple minded. He speaks of bettering himself. Love sex. Having fun. It’s a great album !! One of his best. And I’m not a fan boy of anything ! 20/21 tracks are great I just don’t like see you around. People can’t even make a 12 track album half good. This man killed 20/21 tracks !!! It’s top 3 with fame exclusive and this one.
I agree and respect your comment 100.
Im horny
Best R&B album since Trigga…this is fire. I like this more than Forever..
I give this album rating a B+ 89%. This album showcases Chris Brown’s versatility as a prominent artist in music. He brings his best work of his 10 year career with X. Body Shots is probably the only weak record on here. Though Came To Do is like he baby brother of smash hit Loyal, Brown still delivers with a decent verse from Akon. It has the Pop songs, R&B/Hip Hop, and even Country records. LOL! There are standouts on this project and it’s almost every song in it’s own unique way. Commercially, this is easily the best R&B project to come out in 2004 and was well worth the wait. My favorites are: Loyal, Don’t Be Gone Too Long, Came To Do, Lady In A Glass Dress & Autumn Leaves.
Typo 2014* 2004
Dis shit is trash… this is pop electro not R&B, you’re all brainwashed.
It’s a genre bending album. It has them pop electro tracks on there. No one is brainwashed. More are open minded than you when it comes to this project. Trash is your opinion.
@Kingknown,so trash is your musical culture.
I doubt it. I like different types of music. Predominantly R&B and Rap. Some pop, some rock. Don’t judge the book homie. I’m from that NWA, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, New Jack, Eminem era.
thats whassup
I guess I must of heard the wrong album because the one I got is not electro its mainly slow jams and boring this is not a good album and I’m a fan who’s bought everything he’s put out in his career. 2/5 forsure. Probably as bad or worse than Graffiti.
WTF is this fag(and i dont mean that in an insulting way to gay people lol) wearing? lol I would be a horrible famous person because i still rock J’s cargos and a fresh white. This shit right here……..
This album strongly reflects where music is heading.
I think for what it is it is a great album. CB has given us 5 no.1 hits. And not to mention a great diversity of different genres blended in together.
This is something I can listen to when i’m working out and definitely relaxing with a book.
Y’all are too critical to appreciate good music
fuckin brown stain
its the women beater!!
piss brown is the scum of the earth
thanks for gracing us with another shitty album now hopefully u get shot instead of suge next time fake blood
id like to X him out for real
its the fake blood who takes naked pics of himself and beats women nothing but class good job he should be proud
take this shit back to the store cuz we don’t wanna here this fake shit no more
whos cris brown oh yeah the guy who beat the shit out of rihanna this guy is a coward
Great Album
Not sure why Chris Brown’s album is on review on a Hip Hop site. I live Breezy, but lets keep it hip hop!
R&B doesn’t deviate from Hip Hop
I love the albumn.
Stop hating on chris brown and his personal life pussy hes talented
Love the album from beginning to end.
Its gotta be a Five Star the boy is grindin fa real yo
for me this was the best album chris brown made, complete package
Chris is my best of my bests, I wish could send me
One of his music from chris x.
Last time Chris ever goes for quality over quantity.
Last good Chris Brown album ?