Music Review: Two Eleven

Brandy Norwood has saved R&B once again with her latest album, Two Eleven. It's a brilliant album, well thought out and created for the grown and sexy --only. I remember when Brandy came on the scene; I was a senior in high school and bumped the track, "I Wanna Be Down," religiously. I'm so glad that she is back and her hiatus from the music scene was needed.

The R&B diva has gone through a lot in her career from jumping off as the hottest teen star on the scene, to harboring an identity that was not true (all American girl with no issues), lying about a marriage that did not occur, and a now a single mother would make anyone want to walk away from their passion --if given the chance. 

Brandy endured it all and shows this through her latest album that features that dark, edgy-alto voice that we all have come to love and treasure. Ms. Norwood understands her place in music now. She is that damn good and then some. 

Two Eleven is Brandy's sixth studio album and the creative production takes you back to the days of Afrodisiac with a progressive twist for the musically inclined. Brandy worked with some of the best producers in the game including Bangladesh, Rico Love, and Sean Garrett. Frank Ocean, Drake, and Chris Brown received song-writing credits on the album. 

The singer told the media regarding her current work, “What I'm truly excited about is how the album is all about R&B and figuring out the new sound of R&B, and that was the challenge for me. I wanted to do something different – I didn't want to just sing about love over regular beats." 

Brandy takes it there vocally and comes back for another round making you wonder when her seventh album will drop. Every beat on the album is wicked. Fans will appreciate her sultry vibe, view on love and womanhood. Ms. Norwood has grown into a woman and you will hear it via her lyrics. The writing on the album is superb and she hit each note with precision and grace. 

Hot tracks include: Scared of Beautiful, So Sick, Slower, Put it Down and Music. 

If you thought that Brandy Norwood would not come back -- You were wrong (in that order). Music received an early Christmas present: Two Eleven. 

Reviewed by atlas brown

Writer @ Large

The Cultural Weekly