House of Music

As the date approaches on Chris Brown performing at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, CA we take a look at album “Royalty”. Chris Brown’s seventh studio album, Royalty, released on December 18, 2015, is a deeply personal project named after his daughter, Royalty Brown. This album marks a significant moment in Brown’s career, blending his signature R&B style with elements of funk, pop, and trap music. However, despite its personal significance, Royalty presents a mixed bag of musical offerings that oscillate between heartfelt tributes and repetitive themes.

Royalty opens with “Back to Sleep,” a track that sets the tone with its sultry 808s and intimate lyrics, reminiscent of Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing.” This song, along with others like “Liquor” and “Wrist,” showcases Brown’s ability to create catchy, sensual R&B tracks. “Back to Sleep” stands out as a quality addition to Brown’s catalog of romantic ballads, peaking at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.However, the album’s reliance on sexually explicit content becomes a double-edged sword. Tracks like “Who’s Gonna (Nobody)” and “Little Bit” underscore Brown’s preoccupation with physical intimacy, often at the expense of lyrical depth. While these songs are polished and well-produced, their repetitive nature detracts from the album’s overall impact.

Despite its flaws, Royalty features several standout moments. “Wrist,” featuring Solo Lucci, is a notable track that blends hip-hop and R&B with a Southern twist, reminiscent of Brown’s earlier hit “Look at Me Now.” Another highlight is “Proof,” a slow-burning track where Brown grapples with the complexities of a troubled relationship, showcasing his ability to delve into emotional territory beyond the physical.”Make Love” also deserves mention for its nostalgic, old-school vibe, demonstrating Brown’s vocal versatility and ability to channel classic R&B influences. These tracks provide glimpses of Brown’s potential to create more varied and substantial music.

Given the album’s dedication to his daughter, one might expect Royalty to delve deeper into Brown’s experiences and emotions as a father. However, aside from the heartfelt closer “Little More (Royalty),” the album largely sidesteps these themes. This omission feels like a missed opportunity for Brown to explore new lyrical territory and offer a more rounded portrayal of his life and growth.

Royalty received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its production quality but criticized its lyrical repetitiveness and lack of thematic depth. Despite this, the album performed well commercially, debuting at number three on the US Billboard 200 and eventually being certified Platinum by the RIAA.

In conclusion, Royalty is a reflection of Chris Brown’s strengths and weaknesses as an artist. While it features some standout tracks and showcases his talent for creating catchy R&B hits, it falls short in delivering a cohesive and deeply personal narrative. The album’s heavy reliance on sexually explicit content and missed opportunities for emotional exploration leave it feeling somewhat unbalanced. For fans of Brown’s music, Royalty offers enough highlights to be enjoyable, but it ultimately leaves one hoping for a more mature and introspective effort in the future.