Ne-Yo - Because Of You Album

After Ne-Yo’s last debut album In My Own Words, which brought us the smash hit singles like Sexy Love, So Sick and Stay. He is back for round two with Because of you and never fails to surprise.

1.      Because Of You – The first single from the album to be released is a stomping upbeat track with Ne-Yo’s smooth vocals and a catchy chorus… and it’s all Because Of You!

2.      Crazy feat JAY-Z – Jay-Z opens the track with a catchy rap. This is a mid-mellow track, which showcases Ne-Yo’s voice; he is definitely bringing “Soul” back!

3.      Can We Chill – A nice summertime feeling to this song, which should have the guys flirting with the ladies to get onto the dance floor. The track has a 2-Step vibe like R Kelly’s Step In The Name Of Love, definitely a good up-tempo track with jazzy guitar string melodies.

4.      Do You – A softly sung song with a mellow feeling but accompanied by a nice orchestra of instruments like the piano, violins and heavy hitting drums. The song appropriately shows off Ne-Yo’s harmonic tone.

5.      Addicted – Slow jazzy track played along with upbeat keyboard production as well as the strumming of the electric guitar.

6.      Leaving Tonight feat Jennifer Hudson – A svelte intro, which sees Ne-Yo speaking on the intro seductively. With Jennifer Hudson on hand to lend her powerful voice, the two create a nice flow with what seems like a "Blues" inspired track. Just imagine a jazz café in New Orleans, a live band and these two onstage collaborating.

7.      Ain’t Thinking About You – An electrifying upbeat track with loud drum percussions and Ne-Yo’s trademark vocals. He is certainly expressing himself about “forgetting” about his ex and moving on.

8.      Sex With My Ex – The opening has an “Old School” vibe with the bongo beats and the sweet notes of reminiscing about his bedroom antics with his ex and in between we are helped to saucy tiger growls – Rrrrrrrrrr!

9.      Angel – Reminds me of the music to P.Diddy’s song - Last Night but all soon changes when the soft piano keys and drums kick in and Ne-Yo’s velvet voice and light echoes fade into the background!

10.     Make It Work – A mellow track about making a relationship work regardless of obstacles you may be facing. Sounds like keyboard production and soft echoes of “Ayo, ayo” during the chorus.

11.     Say It – Sounds like a dramatic intro with Ne-Yo expressing his feeling speaking in a mellow-dramatic tone. This airy track has a very eerie vibe when the keys stop and the beats drop, the thought of it feels as though someone is being followed down a dark alley at night. Quite dramatised with high pitch octaves from Ne-Yo.

12.     Go On Girl – Think flowers, blue sky and the bright sun with this up-beat track as it has a nice flow like Beyonce’s – Irreplaceable (To the left, to the left!). Except the message is different this time as Ne-Yo opens up his heart to tell his ex not to worry about him but move on and get on with life.

13.     That’s What It Does – The intro reminds me of Madonna’s – Like A Prayer till the piano keys and drums kick in. A mid-tempo track talking about how a significant other can make you feel after you have just finished a relationship. Very gritty and the choir adds their gospel harmonies to the track.

Verdict: I would say Because Of You is a very solid effort with a good variety of songs.