Ne-Yo – Year of the Gentleman – review

Artist: Ne-Yo

Title: Year of the Gentleman

Label: Def Jam

Rating: 8/10

Corporate line:
“Closer,” written by Ne-Yo and produced by Stargate, is the first single from Ne-Yo’s upcoming third album, “Year of the Gentleman.” It is the follow-up to “Because Of You,” which received this year’s Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album, and “In My Own Words” – both of which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.

In addition to his Contemporary R&B Album award, Ne-Yo earned four other Grammy nominations this year, including two for his collaboration with Rihanna, “Hate That I Love You” (which he co-wrote), namely Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance Duo/Group; as well as Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his #2 hit “Because Of You”; and Record of the Year for Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable” (which he co-produced). Ne-Yo’s Grammy recognition followed up the UK’s 13th annual MOBO (Music Of Black Origin) Awards in September 2007 – the only televised European Awards Show solely dedicated to urban music and culture – at which he won for Best Song (“Because Of You”) and Best R&B Act.

Ne-Yo’s RIAA platinum debut album In My Own Words was nominated for a Grammy as Best Contemporary R&B Album. It spun off three chart-topping hits, starting late-2005 with his debut Def Jam single, the #1 Grammy-nominated “So Sick,” followed by “When You’re Mad” and “Sexy Love.” Ne-Yo capped 2006 as Male R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year at the Billboard Music Awards. At the The 21st Annual Soul Train Music Awards in February 2007, Ne-Yo won the Coca-Cola Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap new Artist for “Sexy Love.”

The good:
“Closer” – Ne-Yo has a hit on his hands.

“Mad” – The bridge is the best part of the song. Ne-Yo knows how to build and build the track that climaxes over and over.

“Nobody” – A hot track that recalls some of the sexy soul tracks of the ’70s–with a bit of Jackson flavor.

“Miss Independent” – Ne-Yo singing about strong women is refreshing. Especially during a time when so many artists are singing about “bitches” and “hos.”

“So You Can Cry” – A beautiful ballad that never sounds clichéd.

“Part of the List” – The lyrics won’t wow you however the melody is amazing.

The rest:
“Why Does She Stay?”

Finally:
Ne-Yo has a great record that shouldn’t fly under the radar. He has the skills to become one of the best R&B stars in music.

Watch the video for “Closer”