After seven years, allegations of drug use and a divorce; Pop/R&B icon, Whitney Houston looks for redemption on new album. Whitney Houston appears ready to reclaim the top spot on the charts with her seventh studio album, “I Look to You”.
Boasting production and writing credits from some of music’s biggest names including Norwegian production team Stargate (Beyoncè “Irreplaceable”), Grammy winning singers/songwriters R. Kelly, Alicia Keys and Johnta Austin (Mariah Carey “We Belong Together”), songwriter Diane Warren (Celine Dion “Because You Love Me” ) and Akon, who is the album’s only featured artist.
The album’s opening track and first official single, “Million Dollar Bill”, produced by Swizz Beatz and written by Alicia Keys, is almost a 70’s throwback unlike anything Houston’s ever recorded. The up-tempo track shows Houston’s ability to still have a good time despite rough past couple of years had by the songstress. “If he makes you feel/Like a million dollar bill say/ Oh oh oh oh” sings a newly liberated Houston.
“Call You Tonight” shares a similar beat pattern to Oscar/Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson’s 2008 #1 hit single “Spotlight” possibly due to both tracks being produced by Stargate (Ne-Yo “Miss Independent”). And just as “Spotlight” proved to be a hit for Hudson , “Call You Tonight” could have the similar result for Houston if released as a single.
The album’s title track, “I Look To You” allows Houston to display her voice. The R. Kelly written and produced track also reveals Houston’s vocal limitations, gone are the days of the songstress belting out notes or showing off her stellar five octave vocal range. While “I Look To You” isn’t “I Will Always Love You” in terms of vocal performance, Houston still conveys the message of the song.
Other album highlights include the Dianne Warren penned “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength”, which is possibly the most powerful song ever recorded by the Newark, New Jersey native. “Worth It”, the Akon produced “I Got You” and “Salute” all have single potential. The latter finds Houston insisting not to call her reemergence a comeback. “Don’t call it/A comeback/ I been here for years/Through all the drama/pain and tears” .
For some the sound of Whitney Houston’s name leaves a sour taste in their mouths. However, on her new album “I Look To You”, the fourth best selling female artist of all time in the United States is stronger, wiser and ready to reclaim the top spot. “I Look To You” is a contemporary album unlike anything in Houston’s extensive musical catalog. With production and writing credits from some of the biggest names in music, new life has been given to the artist simply known as “The Voice”. If redemption was Houston’s goal with the release of “I Look To You” -MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.
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