Ne-Yo | Libra Scale

Ne-Yo | Libra Scale

Ne-Yo (Shaffer Smith) is easily one of R&B’s best young artists of
the day. Now four albums in (all polished and exceptional), Ne-Yo is
easily treated more like a ‘veteran’ of the business as opposed to an
amateur trying to build his way up. Ne-Yo has ‘the goods’ to back up
his ‘veteran’ status with vocals that can be described as sensual, silky
smooth, and heavily influenced by the late, great Michael Jackson. On
Libra Scale, the Michael Jackson comparisons may be the most deserved of
any of Ne-Yo’s efforts as vocally, Ne-Yo sounds better than ever. And
face it, with this album mixing the best of contemporary R&B,
traditional R&B and pop coupled with his ever-evolving tenor, how
could Ne-Yo not sound like MJ, the ultimate crossover artist?

“Champagne Life,” the second single from Libra Scale opens the album
convincingly with superb, captivating production work. The songwriting
is as strong as ever, not to mention that Ne-Yo sounds incredible here.
It is unfortunate this finely crafted single did not breakthrough
charts more than it did; it is valedictory. “Making a Movie,” another
capable track plays ‘bridesmaid’ to “Champagne Life” as far as
songwriting and overall enjoyability, but it is by no means an ‘evil
stepsister’ of a performance. As always, the sheen and polish that
embodies Ne-Yo is present despite the fact “Making A Movie” is not a
sure-bet hit. If “Making a Movie” were shaky (which it is NOT), “Know
Your Name” is the ‘atonement’ finding Ne-Yo surrounded by incredibly
lush, thoughtful production that hearkens back to the lush
orchestrations of 1970s soul. While the hook is not particularly
complex, it is the simplicity that helps propel it as somewhat epic: “If
its alright with you, can I know your name, …call you sometimes, can I
know your name?” R&B gold, ladies and gentlemen.

“Telekinesis” continues to find the singer/songwriter outdoing himself,
keeping a certain soul vibe that seemed less present on 2008’s Year of
the Gentleman at the forefront. And face it, would you expect an
R&B song to be entitled “Telekinesis?” “Crazy Love” turns out to be
another outstanding performance, rivaling both “Champagne Love” and
first single “Beautiful Monster.” Good for a number of great lyrics, the
best may be the pre-chorus section where Ne-Yo sings “They say love and
insanity are somewhat related, the way that they make us act/but baby
girl the love between you and me, is truly the greatest…” Featuring
rapper, Fabolous, the collaboration turns out to be a sound, enjoyable
one. 

“One In a Million,” the third and most recent single from Libra Scale is
solid, though it does not outdo the non-singles by any means. As
always, a solid hook serves as a the selling point, not to mention
another rousing performance by Ne-Yo. “Genuine Only” reminds the
listener of material from Ne-Yo’s last album, 2008’s Year of the
Gentleman. Here, Ne-Yo leans more pop with guitars added to the mix. It
does not overshadow anything else, but “Genuine Only” is a nice change
of pace. “Cause I Said So” follows, and sounds remarkably similar to
“Thriller” – its the bass line – and well the vocals too! Well written
and solid, there is nothing to quibble about here in the least.

“Beautiful Monster,” one of the top three performances from Libra Scale
finds Ne-Yo making a pop turn, embodying the popular trend of Europop.
While some will call this trend annoying (myself being one sometimes),
Ne-Yo makes it sound refreshing on this exceptional first single. The
songwriting continues a mark of excellence as none can deny the
catchiness of hook “She’s a monster, beautiful monster, beautiful
monster, but I don’t mind/and I need her, said I need her, beautiful
monster, but I don’t mind/I don’t mind…” Pop gold – or maybe better
yet, crossover gold.

“What Have I Done” is a fine penultimate cut to Libra Scale finding the
Michael Jackson comparisons piling higher and higher on this incredible
ballad. Closing cut “Champagne Love (Remix)” features rappers Fabolous
and Rick Ross. It does not detract from the album per say, but the album
would have been just as strong running ten tracks deep.

All in all, Libra Scale is another solid Ne-Yo album. It is nice to hear
Ne-Yo expand his sound palette as far as the production work, not to
mention the continuing evolution of his ‘pipes.’ There is very little
to object to here; Ne-Yo fills the crossover slot in the urban music
world. Four albums in, he is a consummate ‘veteran’ with a great
restlessness that allows him to ‘bring it’ every single album.

Brent Faulkner
The Urban Music Scene