Ne-Yo – Year of the Gentleman – Ne-Yo

An Ordinary Joe here, with the Ordinary Joe Blog’s official review of Ne-Yo’s third studio album “Year of the Gentleman”

The album opens with Billboard Hot 100’s #7 track, first single “Closer”, “I just can’t stop/ I just can’t stop…” It seems Ne-yo is on a roll; being one of the biggest writers in the R&B World and moving full throttle with his own career.

Lyrical content, albeit the luxury it is in today’s musical world, can always be expected from Ne-Yo. From the lyrics of Rihanna’s “Unfaithful” and “Take a Bow” to recently married, Jennifer Hudson’s “Spotlight” Ne-Yo’s skill is evident. He saves a lot of it for himself, but the reserves ran a little low with the line, “Be your boyfriend til the song goes on” from third track “Single”.

In his shout-out to hard working women, “Miss Independent”, Ne-Yo twists it up being the man inspired by and attracted to a woman of power. In this song, Ne-Yo shows how he’s gotten to this point, through hard work and good songs. “She Got Her Own” is a solid track, somewhat of a follow up to “Miss Independent”, it sings the praises of women who are doing it big solo, and don’t look to their man for a buck. It features Jamie Foxx and a verse from Rapper Fabolous. The new video clip also features appearances by Estelle and Eve.

After the list of “dump me pleases” Ne-Yo recites in “Why Does She Stay”, to answer his question, she probably stays only because you’re Ne-Yo and that’s about it. The talks that Ne-Yo hasn’t changed up much in this album are true however. Personally, I prefer artists to evolve over time, but Ne-yo can’t be blamed for the wide acceptance of his sound and very active career over the past few years.

All in all, The Ordinary Joe Blog gives “Year of the Gentleman” a “B”, for a good addition to your trophy case of love songs and anthems and Ne-Yo’s trophy case of pretty good albums.