“I don’t know… I just wanna have fun…” - Janet, 20 Y.O. Intro
I hear ya, Ms. Jackson… and that’s just what makes 20 Y.O. pop.
I have to admit, I had my reservations before the boss asked me to review this album. After all, I’ve never really been big on Janet albums; just the singles (“I Get So Lonely,” “All For You”). But 20 Y.O. is an explosive record just oozing with tons of fun, hot beats, and of course, sex.
“So Excited” featuring Khia immediately raised eyebrows because of the featured artist alone. “Khia?” I thought, “the hood rat one-hit wonder with Janet, the platinum-plus beauty?” But as I got further into the track, the beat got sicker and sicker and Khia’s “look sexy, talk dirty” got more and more addictive. It was certified: Ms. Jackson is back.
The following tracks glide along with the same momentum; hot production with the same laid-back, “have fun” attitude. On the hypnotic “Show Me,” Janet does her best Jermaine Dupri impression as she chants, “How bad do you want it? How bad do you need it?” over sci-fi rhythms and sound bytes. The hyperactive “Get it Out Me” sounds like it would have been another one of her countless No. 1’s in the late 1980’s, as Janet shows that she isn’t only in “Control,” but she indeed still has that “20 Y.O.” innovation, creativity, and urge to have fun (not to mention the body…).
The album does eventually slow to mid-tempo by the time “With U,” a sweet, ride-with-the-windows-rolled-down jam, rolls around. The only detractor in this lush track is that Janet starts sounding like ole’ Mike a little, which, given his present predicament, ends up being kinda creepy. Nevertheless, the song feels like a summer breeze, and “Call On Me” featuring Nelly continues the same feeling. Though I wouldn’t have pegged it as the first single, it’s definitely easy listening, and given the current mix of crunk, snap, and “Déjà Vu,” the track is a welcome change.
By the time the album slows all the way down, my ears are dripping with honey; the sweet, saccharine “Take Care” is a signature Janet slow jam (“Anytime”), its subtle key changes and minor chords conveying its blissful ecstacy. And on “Love 2 Love,” the album’s closer, when she says, “Your kisses got a poetry/ that leaves me shakin’ in the knees,” I literally shake with her…
20 Y.O. surprisingly knocked me off my feet on the first listen, and that’s much more than I can say for other recent releases. If I had one gripe, it would be the difficulty understanding some of the words Janet utters on some tracks (“Call On Me”)… but then again, that kind of makes it all the more sensual. J.D., I know I bad talk you every time I see you (a “3”) and Janet (a “10”) together, but whatever it is you’re doing to her — keep it up.
Tags: Janet Jackson, Vocalz
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