Post by Admin on Aug 10, 2015 16:31:34 GMT -4
5 Reasons To Be Excited About Janet Jackson's New Album
AUGUST 10, 2015
By THOMAS HAMILTON
Recently, Janet Jackson set the twitterverse ablaze with the announcement of a new album. While her last musical offerings were a bit below fan expectations, there are ample reasons why you should be looking forward to Jackson’s upcoming album:
1. It’s been a long time.
Jackson’s last full-length album, Discipline, came out back in 2008 — a gap that feels like forever in today’s era of music — and she has only done a handful of performances since that time, mostly of her hits. Fans salivating for new music can rejoice knowing that the wait is finally over.
2. She’s collaborating with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis again.
Speaking of her last album, one of the things noticeably absent was legendary production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who had been Janet’s most frequent and important collaborators up to that point. Reuniting with Jam and Lewis should revitalize her iconic, signature sound for a new generation of listeners, and provide a welcome reminder for longtime fans.
3. Her latest single is really good.
Jackson’s latest song, “No Sleeep”, is reminiscent of her hit single, “That’s The Way Love Goes” — and I mean that in the best way possible. The sultry, minimalist production is perfectly suited to Jackson’s soft and sensuous delivery, creating a slow jam destined to make everyone’s quiet storm playlist. Check out the song and the video below:
4. She’s going on tour.
A new album means a tour to support it, and no one puts on a better show than Janet Jackson. Her stage shows are the stuff of legend, with kinetic energy, pitch-perfect choreography and magnificent theatrics that ensure no fan can say they didn’t get what they paid for (even at scalper’s prices). The whole world knows it, too: Several of the dates sold out within days of availability, a testament to how good she is in concert.
5. She’s an icon.
The word icon seems to be casually bandied about these days, but in this case, it could not be more appropriate. Janet Jackson is one of the most influential performers of the last 30 years, with her performance style and musical DNA found in young alt-R&B neophytes like Tinashe and FKA Twigs and current pop superstars like Beyonce, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga. Throughout her career she has been an outspoken champion for feminism, racial equality and gay rights. She was able to escape the large shadow cast by her late brother Michael, the “King of Pop”, to emerge as royalty in her own right, becoming one of the most successful artists of all time.
Artists with Janet Jackson’s influence and impact are increasingly rare these days, and the buzz surrounding her upcoming album and tour is a testament to her staying power and legacy. The fact that she remains relevant, even after an extended hiatus, makes her contribution to today’s musical landscape all the more important — and definitely worth a listen.
