Review: Trey Songz Delivers On 'Passion, Pain & Pleasure' Despite What The Critics Say

Trey Songz returns with his fourth studio album Passion, Pain & Pleasure, looking to dive into the core of R&B.

I’ll be honest, when I first heard earlier this year that Trey Songz was releasing an album just 13 months after releasing his album Ready, I automatically assumed that the album was going to bomb.

We see it all the time; an artist does well and gains fame from one project. Wanting to build on that momentum, they go and rush a follow-up album instead of basking in the newfound fame they have received.

And then the reviews were published confirming exactly what I had predicted.

A few critics wrote about the same concerns I had before listening to the album, such as the album being rushed also adding that Trey’s new project wasn’t as good as his last.

After listening to Songz’s Passion, Pain & Pleasure, I was surprisingly impressed.

Album Review: Fantasia Barrino's 'Back To Me'

Fantasia Barrino has experienced quite a month and even that statement is an understatement considering how she has gone from being known only as an American Idol winner to now becoming a tabloid staple.

The sad part about it is that Fantasia has real talent and unfortunately her salacious private life is what made her a hot topic as of late, not her voice. Just in time for all the attention is her third studio LP Back to Me.

Whether the situation has been milked or perhaps it is perfect timing; whatever the case may be, Back to Me has all the potential to draw in enough attention independent of the drama.

[ALBUM REVIEW] Rick Ross 'Teflon Don'

Miami rapper Rick Ross has come a long way from his days as the second half to the beef involving 50 Cent. When Rick first stepped on the scene he had a persona that could only be compared to that of a boss. He exuded confidence and demanded attention without being too forceful. But the aforementioned qualities were threatened when information about his past as a correctional officer was leaked into the hands of a critical music adoring community.

Although most don’t see a problem with Rick having a job that may have been in law enforcement before becoming a rapper that rapped about slinging drugs and breaking laws, it was a complete 360 to what he was attempting to portray as this character known as Rick Ross and that rubbed most people the wrong way.

With Rick Ross’ new album Teflon Don, all of that will more than likely become like dust and particles in his past that he can simply just brush off. Teflon Don is refreshing and a well-deserved change of pace for those who frequent the genre of commercial Hip-Hop searching for something that they can listen to more than once.

M.Y. Album Review: Ryan Leslie-Ryan Leslie

I am officially a Ryan Leslie fan! This album is full of body moving, eyes closed finger snapping enjoyable music. Ryan delivers with his very first self-titled album and gives us a reason to love R&B again. The producer/songwriter turned artist, gives us a mixture of rap and sultry melodic vocality that would melt the heart of an ice queen.

Just when I thought the only hot songs on the album would be the club banger "How It Was Supposed To Be" and the notable "Addiction", the 12 track album shuts me up; I didn't think that this was possible!

M.Y. Favorite Tracks

• Addiction


• You're Fly


• Quicksand


• Irina


• Gibberish

Let's talk about "Gibberish". That has got to be the most clever track I have heard in such a long time. The song is just that, gibberish; humming and vocal riffs with the accompaniment of auto-tunes take the place of lyrics. And somehow, it is one of my favorites. I've said this once and I'll say it again, a wise man once said that you can tell if a song is a hit just from listening to the first 5 seconds of it, and this theory applies to this album. Practically all of the songs on the album is a hit. What I'm saying is that the entire album is f.i.r.e.!

I honestly thought that Ryan Leslie wouldn't be something to write home about for the simple fact that there has been very little promotion for the album; but I was thankfully mistaken. This album is a hidden gem and so is Ryan. Neyo just might have himself a little competition. Ryan Leslie is in stores now.

Ryan Leslie is certified...

M.Y. Ear Candy!

M.Y. Album Review: India Arie-Testimony Vol. 2: Love & Politics

India Arie is back and we can all breathe with joy. She brings with her a new album that hit stores yesterday that simply speaks the truth.

In this gift to the masses, India goes on a cultural musical exploration and gives us music that feeds the soul and makes us think. India's voice flows swiftly like water on ice filling your ears with yummy lyrical goodness, all the while stimulating your mind and your undeniable inner empathy.

Every track tells a story as well as holds a lot of meaning. I can definitely sense her earning herself at least 5 Grammy nominations in 2010.

M.Y. Favorite Tracks

• Ghetto
• Chocolate High
• He Heals Me
• Pearls
• Yellow
• Better Way
• The Cure

"The Cure" has a line that sticks out to me more than any other line on the album, "Love is the cure for hate". That piece of lyric is priceless and speaks volumes. Thank the heavens for India Arie. She uses her voice to tell a story many of us have never heard or cared to know and delivers it with a sound that is soothing to the ears and quenches a music lovers thirst.

Testimony Vol. 2: Love & Politics is certified...

M.Y. Ear Candy!