Review Summary: You don't know me like you used to.
I'm sorry that you
Seem to be confused...
Brandy is an oft-repeated name in dance music and r&b retrospectives, but rarely is her music put to the test beyond a small handful of well-known singles (and of course, countless samples). Today, I challenge you to put her music to the test. If you're saying to yourself, nice try, I'll never appreciate such a cheesy album or genre, here's what I say to you: Never Say Never.
Never Say Never captures the energy of an artist fresh off of a successful debut album, ready to let go and make music true to her heart and vision. Like many old skool r&b releases, a lopsided tracklist detracts from the record's immediacy looking back...but that's not the point! The serendipitous pairing of Brandy and producer Darkchild (aka Rodney Jerkins) resulted in a distinct atmosphere and style that made waves in the pop music industry and beyond. It doesn't lose sight of what r&b had to offer during the '90s, but is simultaneously forward-thinking, striking a balance between camp and soul that remains exceptional over twenty years later.
Darkchild would go on to be involved with many of Brandy's later albums, but the dream team wasn't able to sustain their creative momentum for very long. As the princess of r&b gradually faded from the limelight, her voice and spirit continued to be sampled by subsequent generations, ultimately becoming a lasting ethos, and Never Say Never is an incredible display of what made Brandy so impactful. While it may not have the immediacy or consistency of other releases in r&b, patient listening reveals countless treasures. Are you up for the challenge?
