Album Review: Chris Brown, Breezy
Chris Brown
Breezy (released June 24, 2022)
You know society has gone completely left when my Cousin Chris Brown becomes the voice of reason.
Recent conversations across Twitter – mostly fueled by kids who were born after the iPhone 3 came out – have dared to claim that Cousin Chris is not just the Michael Jackson of this generation, but he’s BETTER than Michael!
They serve paint chips in school lunchrooms now or what?
Thankfully, CB shut that down with two words in this interview – “That’s cap.”
Until your faves debut music videos that break into primetime programming and make nightly news, until the very sight of them makes GROWN ADULTS FAINT, let’s stop crowning everyone who can do a split in tight pants the new King of Pop.
Deep down, though, I understand how we got here.
Longtime readers know it’s no secret how hard I’ve been on ol Breezy, especially in the past decade, which has been littered with one lackluster album after another. That said, during R&B’s darkest era to date, Chris Brown has been the genre’s biggest (and most years, ONLY) mainstream star.
For an entire generation, Chris Brown has been the face of R&B.
Attribute that rise to two frustrating factors:
- Abandoning his traditional R&B sound for the ever-present, and ever trendy, rap-sung delivery that has infested every genre of music like silverfish in your grandma’s basement
- And his dismissal of traditional album structure – ignoring the usual 45-minute, 15 track design for 40-track behemoths that run nearly THREE HOURS. Great for boosting numbers on streaming sites and spamming Billboard charts, sure, not so great for producing solid bodies of work.
When I die 15 years earlier than expected, blame my reviews of Indigo and Heartbreak on a Full Moon for shrinking my lifespan.
Cousin Chris may be the most recognized, best-selling star in R&B but I think even at this point he realizes he needs a change.
Good news, Breezy, um, Breezy’s 10th studio album tries to switch things up. Sorta. First, it doesn’t clock in at almost three hours – he’s gotten it down to a “lean” hour and half! It’s like watching Morbius instead of watching the Dark Knight!
…This album is definitely like watching Morbius.
Also, CB has heard the whispers from R&B curmudgeons like me who are tired of his Migos tribute act:
So of course the album’s first track “Till The Wheels Fall Off” begins with COUSIN CHRIS DOING HIS RAP THING AGAIN.
That’s what makes Breezy such a weird release. It inches Brown toward freshening up his sound and presentation … but then he gets cold feet and it’s business as usual.
The first half of the album is pretty much every CB album you’ve heard since the dull days of Royalty. “C.A.B.” is a mildly catchy but ridiculously oversexed song that is instantly forgettable outside of a solid guest verse from Fivio Foreign. That guy is the new Fabolous – great guest spots, so-so solo albums. You’ve got the typical sex-crazed tracks with needless rapper features (Lil Baby on “Addicted”) nondescript midtempo songs (“Pitch Black”), and embarrassing cuts named after oral sex noises (“Hmhmm”).
Frankly, most of the features come off as needless streaming bait. Breezy and Bryson Tiller as a bland as a mayonnaise smoothie on “Need You Right Here” and Lil Wayne and BLEU makes a mess of “Possessive” – the vocal effects are so heavy handed they sound like the Decepticon Mass Choir. Others work much better. Cousin Chris and HER have recorded stronger songs in the past but “Closure” benefits from the chemistry. Likewise, “Sex Memories” with Ella Mai might not hit it out of the park, but it’s not a bad outing.
What DOES work is “Call Me Every Day,” with WizKid. The warm island grooves FINALLY give CB a fresh landscape to explore, happily dragging him from the usual trap drums and debauchery. And while I’m still not on the Blxst train like most of the known universe – I’m dying for him to break away from his sing-songy rap deal – “Show It” is another solid, upbeat track.
The album finally begins to gel a bit in the second half, thanks again to a willingness to experiment. “Passing Time” oozes with 80s vibes while “WE (Warm Embrace)” transports us to the 90s, courtesy of a well-done sample of Guy’s “Let’s Chill.” Sampling a hit almost always works.
Unless you’re talking about the songs on that new Nick Cannon album. He should be on the terrorist watch list for that nightmare.
The upbeat “Forbidden” is DYING for the video treatment, feeling like something plucked from Cousin Chris’ Exclusive days. It’s undeniably fun. But the track that will undoubtedly have everyone talking is “Harder,” the spiritual successor of D’Angelo’s “How Does It Feel.” It’s great to hear Chris actually singing again (reminder: He’s actually pretty good at it) and it’s encouraging to hear a song that manages to be sexy without being cartoonishly crude. It has a bridge and everything!
But here’s the problem with Breezy – the album and the guy. I just showed love to four pretty solid tracks, right? Well, that ignores the six or seven painfully generic songs on the album’s second half that surround them. More trap drums, more played-out pseudo-rapping, more immature lyrics.
It’s hard to celebrate these wins when they’re trapped in the Multiverse of Mediocrity.
Here’s the good news – this is my cousin’s best project in years, thanks to his decision to finally step out of his comfort zone and try new things. But overall, it’s still handcuffed by the same ills we’ve been complaining about for years – too many mid tracks, too many needless features, too much reliance on ideas that worked 10 years ago.
I’m sure stans will scream that this is a “perfect project” and I should “stop grading it like an album – it’s a collection of songs so we can build our own playlist!”
Sorry y’all, if he’s calling it an album, I’m reviewing it like an album.
Besides, you know who DIDN’T need to have their albums graded on some sliding streaming curve?
If you think legends need cheat codes, that’s cap.
Best tracks: “WE (Warm Embrace),” “Call Me Every Day,” “Passing Time,” “Harder”
3 stars out of 5
You so spot on. Honestly I’ve been frustrated with breezy ever since royalty. I was really excited when he said the album will be as long as his debut. But as usual he bowed down to peer pressure. He needs to leave hip hop alone and do his mj tributes like fine china and R&B. Ohhh and you forgot to mention sleep at night too!!! That’s my favorite song from the album.
You right also on this spot,hate to say this but he needed the king of RNB” R”,to rescue this album calling it an rnd album,only few songs are good not great,
Edward Bowser has left no stone unturned in reviewing artists,he did so remarkably perfect, unfortunately I can’t get into his Facebook page where there is lots to offer, Facebook blog me.
I always ask myself why first albums of almost every artist become huge and great,from MJ to Prince to mention but few,Chris Brown is also in that denomination,his first album I ranked them highly with lots of quality dominating,he should rather return to rnb and leave hip hop aside,that will help a lot..he is a great singer .
If you don’t mind me asking, I am curious to learn more about your process of how you listen to an album and the steps you take to evaluate every track and so forth. Sometimes I feel as though I’m missing something until I read your reviews and if you don’t mind I would love to hear your process/method of evaluating and reviewing albums. Hope to hear from you soon
Good question. Short version:
I write out the title of every track on my lil notepad, listen to each song in sequence and take notes on each song individually. I check on who produced it, weigh the vocal performance and try to transcribe the lyrics if they’re notable.
I listen to the album in full twice, then on the third go I start writing.
There’s more to it but that’s the gist.
Thank you for your response. I appreciate your input. Growing up, I have loved music and film. Over the past couple of years, I’ve noticed I want to gain more out of both film and music and when Kendrick dropped Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers, I wanted to try to step out of the entertainment mindset and actually immerse myself in his music and lyrically dissect everything, but I feel I always miss something every time. When I read your reviews, it makes me wonder what I could do differently therefore I wanted to reach out to get a critic’s perspective. So, I appreciate your input and advice. I will start doing that and will make notes on each and every song in the album. If you don’t mind me asking one more question, when it comes to your rating system out of 5, do you have a list to go through where you check off certain elements about the song and rate it out of 5 or do you just overall rate the album altogether from how you feel towards it? I’m sorry if my question doesn’t make sense, but I am curious to learn more about your grading system towards albums. Hope to hear from you soon and thank you for your time to respond back.
No, there’s not a specific checklist that I use, it’s not that scientific. Basically it’s production, vocal/lyrical ability, concepts/storytelling and consistency. The better the album is in each category, the higher the score. This album, for instance, has strong production, decent vocal ability, so-so concepts and very low marks in consistency. Hence the score. There’s a method to my madness, despite with the Cult of Chris may say.
Oh, okay. Hearing you explain it that way makes a lot more sense. I’m sorry if that question seemed odd or dumb to ask. I have been following your reviews for a while now and was really curious to learn about your process behind reviewing albums. I am a big fan of Chris Brown and although I love his music, I don’t think anyone should attack or crucify you for having different opinions towards his albums. It all comes down to how the album makes you feel and the overall reaction. It’s the same with film: if so and so doesn’t like a film that this so and so does it’s not a fair assessment to automatically judge someone or give them hate because they don’t like it. I love this album, but everyone is entitled to have an opinion and don’t let anyone alter your opinion and perspective towards the way you feel about this album or his music. But back to your original comment, it makes a lot of sense to critique the album for those elements you listed. I agree, this album does have a strong production. Thank you for taking the time to respond back to me. I appreciate that. I am taking your advice and will be listening to albums with the advice you gave.
Bro stfu
You’re a hater and it shows. And that’s fine. To review any artist project you have to at least have good sense of music. When reviewing a project, you have to be neutral asf. Well I’m not surprised that’s why you got only 2 people commenting and suck your dick. Probably your family members ??. Okay now, bye❤
Chris Brown fans are always so intelligent and rational and mature!
I Completely agree, the album is well well put, his vocals are everything ?? his collabs are fire, he could have made a whole album by himself and it still would have been fire, not to mention he originally made 250 songs all just to choose 23, how impressive. This album shows his elevation, his sense of change. The album comes on fire ans strong with the song til the wheels fall off. Whoever wrote this blog was seeking attention and it shows. They did not thoroughly listen to the songs to really give a real honest review.
He always delivered never disappoints,thank you King
This review was not really fair. The album deserves more credit. We all been frustrated with CB for a while but give credit where it is due.
I actually think he did give credit because Chris is a very talented artist but his music doesn’t always match up to his talents.
As a CB fan I am (unfortunatelly) not really satisfied with the album, but trying to go much more open minded into the review than others i think 😉 I mean, i imagine there is a lot of pressure for an artist who has to carry the weight of expectations of a hungry and more or less left alone r&b-community – these could never been fullfilled in my eyes.. the question is only “HOW GOOD WILL THE ATTEMPT BE”? Example: For me.. I don’t take R&B as a slowjam or ballad heavy genre as Ed seems for me to do.. If the album would be full of ballads i would not listen to it more than 1 or 2 times…while i suppose Ed had given a higher ranking then 🙂 so the 2 expextations of 2 people related to a good R&B album are falling apart a good distance.. nevertheless I think if any artist has enough influence on both the younger and older generation to tell them that r&b is still there and has its right to exist and to get back into the light of mainstream – its Chris Brown.. and in my eyes it’s a good effort to satisfy both worlds with what they would call genre-typicall R&B sound. I would have wished, that Ed would be a little bit more open in his reviews and not that stuck on his 80s and 90s definition thing of r&b.. but thats part of his role so… may it be what it is 🙂
I’m happy to hear new music from Chris and don’t forget.. another 10-bomb is coming with the deluxe edition haha.. shout out to Ed for the Page and stepping into the discussion time after time
Greets from Germany..
See, now this is how you offer mature, constructive criticism! It’s appreciated.
You make good points about the previous R&B generation vs the new. That said, I wouldn’t say that I only prefer ballads, nor do I want him to be some slow-singer. Remember his earliest hits – CB has always been a party-starter and uptempo. My criticism is the lack of growth and rehashing the same sounds and songs from the past decade. Half the songs here could have been from X or Royalty and no one would have known the difference. We know he can branch out – he even does it here in spots – we just need to see more of it.
And don’t remind me about this deluxe edition….
😀 it is coming… I feel your pain in that.. I was happy to hear the spoiler some months ago saying “Breezy” would have the same amount of tracks as his debut.. seems like he decided to let that thing be a marketing move. I totally agree with you here, less is (often) more…
BUT: what i don’t get is your expectation of the album then.. because you can not mean, that an artist comes up with a totally new style, not serving his audience with anything they expect, do you? From my POV the amount of tracks is justified (among other things maybe) in his main goal to please the community which is very mixed when we come to the expectation point. Follows, that an artist who has a this big catalogue and range of genres – he taught the people in the past he can play on all that playgrounds – HAS to deliver a piece that has in big parts to listen like older projects!?
I see a crosslink to the Drake album review here 🙂 Drake delivered a more consequent project when it comes to style.. and i guess no one expected him to put sth like this out next.. but that didnt please you either, did it?
(:D and yes you are right.. that sounds like some older rnb-ish drake songs.. but why should an artist invent himself completely new every single albumdrop?)
So to sum up all this.. maybe it is not a perfect album (once again.. when I heard it will be titled “BREEZY”… I instantly knew it can not keep promises) and it is too long for sure (on the other hand I really appreciate the length of tracks – mostly over 3 minutes each) but I see a breath of sense in all that..
Last Point I’d like to admit:
When this logic dictates to put old sounds on the new album.. I would have loved to see a track in style from the beginnings beginnings.. so where are the Scott Storches at when we need them 😀
Have a good day
Every time he comes out with something y’all fuckers have problems cb song r&b on a drill beat and it was fire I mean if you can do it all r&b pop hip hop rap Spanish watever do it why limited yourself and that’s wat I like about cb every thing he do is fire his album is pretty dam good his tours is awesome his album is definitely better than a 3 outta 5 he is always gonna be relavent he just that talented and good that’s why everyone works with him he the shit and his album may started of a lil slow but he will get the numbers and reconittion he needs he always do
I feel that Chris will forever be rejected for what happened in his past from critics on his music along with the award shows I no longer watch those an tune out other ppl opinions he is not michael jackson he is chris brown every artist grow change their looks sound etc at the end of the day as long as he makes music that I find entertaining I’m gonna listen we all have opinions that being said chris is doing just fine what are you doing besides passing judgment
Chris Brown hits women. 0 stars ever.
Honestly there are a few artists that no matter what kind of review you give their albums their hardcore fan base is not going to accept anything less than a perfect rating.
Chris is one of those artists. I don’t think Ed has been a hater at all on this album. What I heard was someone who recognizes talent and is saying hey your better than the records you are putting out.
I am sorry to my fellow Chris Brown fans but as talented as he is sometimes some of his songs are a miss just like any artist.
My main issue with Chris and the comparisons to MJ have always been but does he have an album comparable to Thriller, Off The Wall or Bad in his discography?
In my humble opinion he does not. This isn’t about an old vs new or ballads versus uptempos. This to me is about bringing excitement, emotion breaking new ground sonically and vocally. I think that Chris definitely does that in spurts on this album.
As a cohesive project though not so much. I think Chris has not made his best album yet. Why? Because I believe in his talent. Not because I am hating in him or I need for him to do an ode to 90s R&B.
Example of excitement for me would be when Silk Sonic dropped their first single. Chris has the talent I just need the music to consistently match his talent for an entire album
I love common sense!