While the pulsing beats of
Closer
and
Miss Independent
have already scaled the charts with their up-tempo danceability, Ne-Yo proves his songwriting chops as he slows things down and turns his hand to smooth, subtle ballads that don't drown in their own soppiness.
The beautiful, cascading chorus of piano ballad
Mad
will plague your head for days, while the slow-building, string-accompanied
Stop This World
closes the record with a restrained flourish of grandeur.
Two bonus tracks - one from Ne-Yo's previous album
Because of You
and the superb
What's the Matter
- make up for the singer's occasional lyrical misstep. He may be suave, but not even Ne-Yo can get away with rhyming "pity party" with "calamari".
Fellas, take note - this one's sure to be a hit with the ladies.
Joanna Hunkin