Mary J. Blige: Growing Pains
Mary J. Blige returns with the heat and shows the newbies and the veterans how it’s done on her new album, Growing Pains.
The album opens up with the bouncy, yet inspirational Work That. This track encourages her young sisters to love themselves no matter what shade of skin or length of hair they have or social class they are in. Haters will hate point blank so make yourself happy. No one can take away what God has for you. Ludacris hopes aboard the club track, Grown Woman. Mary spits fire on this record and runs down the list of what makes her grown and how she got there. The lead single Just Fine is another anthem for young and old alike. It’s been a journey for Mary and she is finally to the point where she accepts herself and loves what she sees in the mirror before her.
As the disc progresses, Mary gives us what Mary is known for…the soul. Feel Like A Woman is a love note to her man about how she wants to be dependent on him, rather than independent all the time. Stay Down is a profession of never-ending love no matter how good or bad things seem or feel. Most Mary fans feel like they don’t get enough “pain” from Mary anymore, well they will be very pleased with Hurt Again. Not only do you feel every lyric to this record, but you understand why Mary is good at what she does. She is at a great place in her life right now, but she still has to endure the same things that we all deal with.
The weakest track on the album to me is Shake Down featuring Usher. It’s a love song with a play on words, but it don’t seem believable coming from her and Usher as a team. I know Usher likes the older ladies, but this duo just won’t cut it. The Neptunes inspired, Til The Morning is a little different from everything on the album but it works. Mary stretches her limits on this one.
As the disc moves to a close, Mary gets to vent and let it all out on Roses. She talks on most of the record, but trust me when I tell you that you won’t turn away from her and the message is understood and entertaining in a sense. Pay close attention to the attitude in her voice. This record will help you with your frustrations as well. Fade Away is the track that takes you deeper into Mary’s soul. She lets us in, just to turn away again. A pure and genuine delivery comes in the form of the next four songs. What Love Is, Work in Progress (Growing Pains) , Talk To Me and If You Love Me. The moving ballads are lyrically on point and vocally intact. No excess yelling or overdone notes. Just pure emotion that gives you Mary of old.
The final two records on the album are Smoke and Come To Me (Peace). Smoke is much like the Neptune record to me. It’s different, but it works. Come To Me (Peace) is the perfect close to the album. It shows completeness and beautiful delivery calms you after the long ride with Mary. She has truly grown on every project and her consistency can’t be denied. There should be no question to why she is the Queen after you get this one.
Rating 5 of 5
-RoJay
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