Ne-Yo & The Year of the Gentleman

A Review of Third Album from one of R&B's most popular Hitmakers

Sep 16, 2008

Can Ne-Yo's third time up to bat measure up to his first two attempts? Come in and take a "Closer" look at the man who penned "Miss Independent."

Ne-Yo has built an impressive resume of hits by penning some of R&B’s greatest hits. From Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable” to Rihanna’s “Hate That I Love You,” the singer/songwriter has cemented his status in the “game.” But does his third studio album measure up to the precedent he has set?

Ne-Yo’s “Year Of The Gentleman” Album Review

Although not a far cry from what fans are used to hearing from him, “Year Of The Gentleman” does a great job of presenting a more cohesive idea of his thesis (the album’s title).

For the album’s first single, “Closer,” the R&B star uses a pop like MJ-esque/Euro influenced beat to express his feelings of being in close proximity to his partner. The song’s upbeat feeling and impressively “Gentleman” like video helped push the track to the #8 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100. It still holds the #2 spot on the Hot 100 Airplay chart.

The second single, “Miss Independent” eloquently speaks to his attraction toward a woman who “handles her own business.” “There’s just something about her,” Ne-Yo sings over the infectiously up-tempo track. Released on August 11, the video for the song premiered on BET’s Access Granted on August 21.

Both “Closer” and “Miss Independent” were produced and co-written by Norwegian production team Stargate (Tor Erik Hermansen and Mikkel S. Eriksen).

Tracks like “So You Can Cry” are noticeably less “revealing” than the tracks from his previous album. But after admitting he was tired of “straight urban music” it isn’t surprising that he turned down the graphic details about his sexual addiction and decided on a more toned down approach.

On one of the album’s only true to form ballads (“Stop This World”) Ne-Yo stretches his vocal range to a place where they didn’t quite want to go. But, it doesn’t negate the quality and sincerity in the song’s lyrics.

On reviewer described the album as “ ‘Because Of You’ – Prince + Stevie Wonder.” It is a known fact that Ne-Yo unapologetically evokes the swagger of Michael Jackson, so if an artist is going to imitate anyone can he/she really be blamed for imitating the best?

All in all “Year Of The Gentleman” proves that Ne-Yo has put in enough work to really make it his “Year.”

“Year Of The Gentleman” Track Listing

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