Well… this is gonna be a downer. For staters, I don’t listen to many songs off this album and this is the first time I am giving it a full listen in forever. My first impression is that this album really lacks MJ’s voice and artistic touch, yes he’s singing and doing his typical MJ trademarks, but I don’t hear HIM. His essence is absent for most of this album. It feels so inauthentic and is clearly written and crafted by many other people trying to make MJ fit into the musical landscape of the time. The songs he contributed to most were his sentimental songs—which are alright. He doesn’t bring anything complex or hard-hitting of his own to the table. There ARE some gems here, but they are so far and few between.
Anyway, here’s my ranking:
UNBREAKABLE- Great funky beat, but takes way too long to start and it gets v repetitive after the first few minutes (6/10)
HEARTBREAKER- I never listen to this song and I was just reminded why. Weird vocals, awkward video game beat. Overall, not great (3/10)
INVINCIBLE- also never listen to this track. There’s something so different about his vocals on these first few tracks that really throw me off. It’s like he’s trying too hard or something, straining almost. This track sounds like the first 2 songs. Nothing of great remark (4/10)
BREAK OF DAWN- I like this song, V catchy slow jam and it certainly has a great melody, mood and vocals. The theme of it rings false though, the sexuality is too forced and inorganic to me. He has plenty of sexier songs that feel more authentic. (7/10)
HEAVEN CAN WAIT- Similar slow jam vibe to ‘break of dawn’. catchy and nice vocals but once again something about the song rings false. I don’t hear HIM (6/10)
YOU ROCK MY WORLD- “she IS bangin” we’re back to classic MJ! Phenomenal beat and a super fun, catchy song, great production and background vocals. Best track on the album (9/10)
BUTTERFLIES- a lovely sensual slow jam, production and vocals are amazing. One of the best tracks on this album (9/10)
SPEECHLESS- now this feels like quintessential sappy saccharine MJ. Pretty, but idk if it’s album worthy tbh. Could’ve been a secret bonus track at the end of the album that you would eventually hear if you didn’t turn it off right away (5/10)
2000 WATTS- I have always secretly liked this song… idk why exactly. It has great energy that makes me groove along. It’s fun even w its uncharacteristically deep vocals and corny theme of sexualizing sound decibels (7/10)
YOU ARE MY LIFE- I like the chorus, it’s a pretty tune. His riffing at the end is the best part. However, his vocals sound muddied or something on this track, not as crisp. (6/10)
PRIVACY- what’s an MJ album without an anti- tabloid song? I don’t mind this one. It’s guttural and catchy but it’s overproduced and gets v repetitive (7/10)
DON’T WALK AWAY- I like this one. It feels heartfelt and authentic for once. Nice melodic chorus w great acoustic guitar throughout. Why does he keep saying “Brangelina” near the end? I guess he was a fan of the couple (this is a joke) (8/10)
CRY- this is such a corny song and not in an endearing way. Simple, fine melody but it’s so naïve and silly. “If we all cry at the same time they would be no more wars” oh brother… To be fair, he didn’t write it, but it’s like someone (R Kelly) took the worst aspects of MJ’s humanitarian/sentimental songs and came up w this. Yuck (2/10)
THE LOST CHILDREN- um idk what to say about this one except it sounds like a christmas carol. The theme is too on the nose for my taste (3/10)
WHATEVER HAPPENS- Cool song, love the western sounding intro. Sexy guitar (“thank YOU Carlos”) and production. Again, his vocals sound off, muddied, straining. (7/10)
THREATENED- The chorus is pretty good, definitely catchy, but the beat is awkward, clunky. There is this noise that sounds like someone is moving a heavy bookshelf throughout the verses. He's made much better attempts at his beloved gothic theme than this track. The spoken word outro is awfully prophetic being the last words on his last song on his last album. Spooky (6/10)
