Reviewing an album on the sole premise of its algorithmically-generated genre undermines the artist’s intention for the music. Breezy, Chris Brown’s 10th studio album, is labeled as “R&B/Soul” but is really an Uber express into the future of Chris Brown or “Breezy,” an alter ego that shifts the foundation of what fans thought they knew and loved about the R&B innamorato.
“What I accomplished was great,” the 33-year old said during a recent sit-down with Big Boy’s Neighborhood discussing the new album. “But where I’m trying to go and do is way bigger than that and that’s not to discredit my past. I want y’all to remember why y’all love me. This music and why I create and the songs that we do, the videos, the magic, I’m tryna bring that back.”
Despite this claim, it’s clear Brown is only interested in being a mediocre pop star at best. It wasn’t always like this. Fans saw the shift with his first 30+ track album Heartbreak On A Full Moon, but showed Brown isn’t afraid to experiment. And like Heartbreak On A Full Moon, his next album Indigo advanced the narrative so that his creativity doesn’t end at R&B but touches pop and Afrobeat.
Now, Brown is on a new wave and longtime fans can either grab the wheel and hold tight or let the door hit them on the way out. Many may choose to stick around for his seemingly out-of-nowhere rap chops. On “Till The Wheels Fall Off,” Brown spits out the gate: “Ride and we gon’ slide/Free Wunna and Slime/Fightin’ for our lives while they get paid up out confinement.” A submerged bass creates a launchpad for a titillating hi-hat and Lil Durk’s fiery pace. “Till The Wheels Fall Off” begins a six-song streak, including Brown’s perky rendition of Chicago drill — “C.A.B. (Catch A Body)” featuring Fivio Foreign — and lush crush bop “Pitch Black.”
“Possessive” is Breezy’s centerpiece sporting a Lil Wayne verse reminiscent of his mixtape era while Yung Bleu (now BLEU) adds depth to Brown’s alto pitch. Each verse waterfalls into the next much like on “Call Me Every Day” featuring Nigerian powerhouse WizKid. He and Brown work well together despite the latter’s broken accent and the former’s true patois. Despite this, his rapping on each song is passable at best and just reminds the listener they could get this from anyone else.
A chunk of Breezy dabbles heavy in the pop-sphere. If listeners are judging the quality of music by desiring tracks that don’t sound out of place playing over the loud speakers at CVS, songs like “Sex Memories,” “Hmhmm” and “Psychic” fit the bill: empty, soulless and soccer mom-approved. “Show It” feels designated for mass appeal despite featuring Blxst and West Coast funk.
Pre-released single “WE (Warm Embrace)” is a stand out star of Breezy for its fat 808s, hushed claps and Brown’s elevated delivery, pushing each bar higher and higher before the chorus crescendos into an exuberant atmosphere. “Dream” also adds to the “fine and grown pack” as slow-breathed kicks pause for Brown’s strained passionate vocals morphing into a lucid dream.
“Forbidden” and “Bad Then A Beach” are examples of the dichotomy of pop CB and R&B CB. There’s a tug and pull here that’s hard to find a level standing ground when compared to past and present. Breezy is a testament to how volatile growth can be when an artist abandons their strengths entirely in favor of mass appeal. After a journey through a majority pop-leaning saga, the only sounds that stuck were the grown-up risqué melodies reminiscent of Brown’s 2000’s hits and Afrobeat options. Ultimately, Breezy clouds who Brown actually is and where he plans to go. Certain songs sway from trend to trend or the preferences of its features mask more than advertising Brown’s individuality.
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Of course, the elephant in the room is the 30-song tracklist, which craters any replay value. Maybe there was an EP or short album’s worth of good material, but at 30 songs (now extended further by the deluxe add-on), the album becomes unwieldy and a chore to play. Especially when Chris offers only more After two long winded 30+ track-albums, giving listeners anything but a solid R&B/Soul project is beating around the bush. It’s understandable Brown doesn’t want to be stagnant and instead, expound on his impressive talents. But in the process of avidly avoiding the boxes, Chris Brown seems to have jumbled himself into one pop culture-pleasing space, effectively, stripping him of anything and everything that was once unique.
CB is a goat with an unbelievably deep catalog. Critics are needlessly harsh on him, and dont give him his roses. He could’ve retired several albums ago and still been a certified legend. So deep into his career, I expect him to experiment with new sounds and not enjoy everything he releases, and unfortunately this is one of those cases for me. I really like Show It, and Til the Wheels Fall Off and Pitch Black were aight, but unfortunately that’s about it.
I’ll add that while many call CB’s long projects bloated, it allows 3-4 songs for every fan to find something they like. I absolutely loved a handful of songs Heartbreak on a Full Moon and Indigo – they’re in my playlist to this day and I’ve listen led to them hundreds of times. But unfortunately I agree with the reviewer here that the music sounds really generic, like records from past projects that didn’t make the cut.
U could have really keep tht shit, He is the king !!! Fuck u and the reviewer
If anyone knows how to make a HIT for the LADIES it’s Bitch Brown. If anyone knows how to make a BEAT for a WOMEN it’s Bitch Brown. If anyone knows how to STRIKE chords for the GIRLS it’s Bitch Brown. If anyone knows how to make DOMESTIC music and ABUSE the sounds it’s Bitch Brown. Gtfoh with this bisexual chump.
Fuck u and kill ya self … Who care what u have 2 say eat dick and die
Musically Chris isn’t anywhere near MJ, he’s closer to NSync
Kill ya mom
LOL at you if you a dude and you listen to this f@g. 0/5
The best Chis Brown album and it’s still a 1/5.
This is phenomenal
You definitely aren’t familiar with CB. The generic pop sound you speak of is one he helped bring into this era of R&B, and he’s been rapping for a decade. This is like saying Future is generic not realizing everyone copied him.
Clearly this reviewer doesn’t know what good music sounds like!
Breezy unapologetically delivers the music Brown’s ardent followers have grown to love him for whilst making some honest attempts to push the boundaries necessary to break the mould sonically with future projects. Sensitivity to the mood of the audience and the industry climate is evidently not lost on him with slight indications of a hesitation to take a full fledged different direction with content and sound. The album is overall a worthy listen with trademark party anthems and ballads.
Genius, absolutely genius!! Loved it!! I can not wait to endure even more great music from this great entertainer and musician.
Album was for fly people who get money and make love……..Hard
Chris brown is the Goat!!! Don’t play
Album might be good if it were cut to ten songs. Lack of sequencing/cohesiveness, as with the last few projects. Talent is there but alone won’t do it, needs a coach to scheme his next project.
The album isn’t that bad….compared to the rest of the shit that’s out….it’s pretty much the same vein…so why are we complaining? Because it’s chris brown? The man who hit Rihanna years and years (decades) ago?
?…Goat
Don’t play with Chris!!!non-stop hits
Nothing but hits; Chris got the game on lock
CB understood the assignment!!! Keep making these hits !@
The album has a number of hits, the problem was lack of Cohesiveness on ‘BREEZY’ if you compare it with his last 3 Studio albums. Perhaps if there were two sides of the Album and more of the R&B Chris than the Thug-ish, I would give it 5/5. However Chris is one of the greatest to ever do this he deserves more juice.
My favorite album is Heartbreak on a full moon Now the Breezy Album is Good to me Depending on what songs you like by him I like the mixture of odd songs those usually are my favorites the ones that don’t get played on the radio Like Survive the night it’s lyrics and the best slapping you still the GOAT in my eyes
I didn’t even have to read the article to know this was written by a woman.
Huge fan of Brown. You cannot deny that has talent and creativity. He wants to please his ‘Team Breezy . ‘ He knows he owes his career and success to them. While ‘Breezy’ is not the greatest album Brown has completed (loved Indigo – saw him in the tour – amazing!) I still got it on auto play and I can hear some of his past work, as well as new concepts, intertwined throughout. Hey – blame it on a global pandemic and God knows all the other sh#t influencing us right now. Maybe Brown wanted us to be lulled into a calm state … Let it be. I look forward to any new work from him. Brown has been with us for 15 years now. This alone is a feat in today’s forgetful, what’s new, next, tik tok society. He has overcome some major things that could have ruined others, less tenacious and creative.
Youngn been doing the damn thing non stop for years consistently putting up numbers
This his best album in years and I mean that as a compliment cuz breezy always comes correct
I’m in love with all his music next to Michael Jackson and Usher Is him. He is one of the best
CB is goated?
I’m gonna say this….. I’m a Chris Brown fan through and through, because at the end of the day, he delivers what no other artist can. BUT…I’ll also say that, this project could’ve been SO SO much better! In several tracks, it sounds like a generational masterpiece is coming, and then he just takes a complete 90° turn into an off- beat off-rhythem melody and lyrics that don’t fit. Psychic, show-it, forbidden petty, and maybe a couple others were definitely the case in point. This is TRULY the very first cb album I’ve ever heard where no matter what, I knew an absolute repeat banger was coming, if not multiple. I kept waiting, kept patient, but for the first time, it never came. And trust me that sucks! Cause now we gotta wait another 2 years probably for another chance.
NEW JOEY COOL ALBUM FIRE AF/
Uninspired boring noise
Chris Brown album is fire!!!! Talented and extraordinary man. Love love love. Beyond words. Keep doing your thing. Keep the music coming!!! Yes dir!!!!
This album is fire ! Grammy worthy ! Breezy stays true to himself & took some risks. He is unapologetic about his love of sex, yet he is vulnerable & passionate . He remains funny & playful. In this project he gives us all of him as a person. Yes some songs could be a movie song track & some very popish. He gives a little bit for everyone. My favorites, Iffy, Pitch black, Warm Embrace wheels fall off, Hate me tomorrow, Hate being human, In the city,CAB, Forbidden , luckiest man. I’ll admit it . I’ve Never liked this many songs from CB . I’m 50 and crushing ?
Diverse*
Bad
This is his worst album by far. Nothing different or captivating. The guy has a great voice and has made some amazing tracks but there isn’t anything here to make you go back for another listen. Total washout.
It’s decent it’s not his best but it decent
I probably haven’t gone through the whole album. I had no idea it housed 30 cuts. I got a bit tired, but also excited when I finally found some layered and very good sounds with Closure and Sex Memories. The collaborations with H.E.R and Ella Mai are fabulous.
So many great tracks. Can not get enough. Hard to choose a favorite
I like the whole album I think its????
I’ve listened to CB for 19years now, since Breezy’s release date, its become an album I cannot stop listening to, I get excited to listen to it! Don’t agree with this article at all, he recorded over 250 tracks for this album, so I really don’t know how you can say he’s just pumping out generic music that satisfies the masses. I’ve loved every album he’s released so far and I’ll love every future album.
I’ve listened to CB for 19years now, since Breezy’s release date, its become an album I cannot stop listening to, I get excited to listen to it! Don’t agree with this article at all, he recorded over 250 tracks for this album, so I really don’t know how you can say he’s just pumping out generic music that satisfies the masses. I’ve loved every album he’s released so far and I’ll love every future album.
5/5 The album was great a lot of R&B songs on it. It showed growth. The more you listen to it the more you will love it. Great job Breezy❣️
Terrible review smh. Y’all losing credibility. Sounds like it’s smthin personal with him
Album fire every darn song period who doing that no one period
Dear Lauren Floyd,
Did you even listen to the album? You literally discuss the tracks as the opposite of what they are for the most part, and the album is 24 songs NOT 30 and only barely goes over 30 with the additional songs from the deluxe album. A few of the songs are short and therefore lead to the listener replaying them. The fact that he is versatile on this album, but not as versatile as we know him to be, and back to more of the R&B/Hiphop/Rap genres with some afrobeats mixed in shows what he was discussing in the interview you referenced. The majority of the internet and his fan base agree the album is amazing, and to me personally it’s hard to compare to previous albums such as those you mentioned because it is a different era. He has some deeper songs and a mix of songs that will be more of the flow of today’s “popular” rap and hip hop. The beats from song to song are amazing. Most people I have spoken to find more than half of the album to be complete fire, and those who have listened to the deluxe tracks agree that those are even better than the first release. Some of these persons being in the music industry, some that are not fans, and some previous “fans”. Please get your life.
He’s the king of his era, & R&b and expanding his hand on things in the music world!!! He always s*** on you naysayers and keep going I’m just wondering when y’all going to have several seats beside ya grandma… And STFU already !!! He’s one of the youngest people with his Masters. All he has is time !! When y’all get on anything like this and say negative stuff, Yall All some haters!!! I know ‘Ya mama’ taught you better than that!! Or maybe she didn’t !!!
To many Nobody’s got something to say ??♂️?‼️
Love Every song literally ??? the ?
??? It’s fire I love it! Y’all hating. Everyone acts like they speaking for all! You can’t br fair then be quiet!
men listen to this shit? HAAHAAHAAHAAHAAHAAHAAA!!!!!!
0/5
Album is excellent, a lot of people are comparing his project to his previous ones and don’t understand this was a R&B album, not hiphop.
Dope album
Love it…ain’t No-one is doing the level of work….he is at KING status ? ?
Crazy seeing the lack of celebration over this project. The consistency, creativity, longevity, and indisputable talent Chris Brown carries is so special. He killed even through the Deluxe Edition of the “Breezy” album. I love it. Not many people are touching his work ethic by a long shot.
Speak about it ??
Brezzy is fire i loved the album and deluxe
I rate it 7/10
Great album. Fav tracks: Pitch Black, Possessive, Call Me Every Day & Closure
The guy is washed up and sweating like a fat f@#k, also he thinks he’s tough beating up women, biggest loser ever, usher is way better!
I think the album is good I been playing it non stop I don’t see where the hate is coming from
I think the album is good I been playing it non stop I don’t see where the hate is coming from
I liked the album it’s not the normal chris but the album it self is still ❤️?❤️?❤️? to me y’all don’t know music sorry keep sliding on em breezy ⛷
Excellent
What’s wild is, every single Chris project since X could have been condensed into like a 10 track classic. INDIGO for sure could have been condensed into something close to a masterpiece. It never does him any favors critically to bloat these albums. With that said, these are the 10 he shoulda rolled with.
1) Til the Wheels Fall Off
2) Pitch Black
3) Possessive
4) Call Me Every Day
5) Show It
6) Sleep At Night
7) Warm Embrace
8) Dream
9) Slide
10) Harder
So sadly. Honestly I was expecting a lot out of Chris Brown’s performance. It was the biggest lit down. I wouldn’t waste time even showing up.
chris brown is one of the biggest artist in our time this article is bullshit breezy is a beautiful but just underrated album