Brandy

Brandy's latest is an exercise in reassurance -- understandable given her scandal-ridden past couple of years. She reassures herself that she's strong ("The Definition"). She reassures the public that she's "Human" and needs our forgiveness. Mostly, she reassures the listener she's upbeat and safe: an innocuous mid-tempo beat runs through most of the album, which showcases little of the inventive beats, sultry vocals or hip-hop flavor of Afrodisiac. The two most interesting tracks ("A Capella" and "Camouflage") find Brandy acknowledging things may not be as stable as they seem.