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[Hatsumomo]

1. Brandy, b7

For decades, Brandy has remained relatively meek about her long-lasting position in the music business. In a boastful line lifted from "I Am More," the elusive legend finally points out over fussy electric guitar strikes that she's "been an original since 1994." It's an irrefutably lyric backed by her prolific catalog engorged by skilled vocal embellishments and frequently referenced fan and peer-favorite tunes. Already widely considered as the vocal bible, Brandy doesn't get enough credit as a modest individualist who never gets caught making the same album twice. Case in point: b7, the first album by the vocalist since 2012's Two Eleven and an unexpected contrast from her earlier works.

The majority of the album, courtesy of resident Brancamp cabin leader and Grammy-winning producer Darhyl "DJ" Camper, uses sensitive writing from a first-person perspective and takes a magnifying glass to the last eight years of Brandy's life outside of the public eye. On "Unconditional Oceans," an untried expressway of melody and song structure, she uncomfortably holds a mirror up to herself and addresses the self-destructive woman who was nearing a disastrous derailment.

Brandy said on "Lucid Dreams" she was "abusing ambient" — and she didn't lie. Her contorted harmonic range and the sounds of unending running water traverses the record about wandering aimlessly to retreat to a tranquil hideaway to discover a brand new pursuit of clarity and awareness. Motherhood is a central point at the heart of b7, where she and her daughter Sy'rai strut fearlessly in "High Heels." On "Baby Mama," a powerful message about motherhood, Brandy expunges the negative connotation of the Black cultural term.

b7 is a throwback to the three-part interlude and single release rollout (duet, rap/sung collabo) of her previous work, 1994's self-titled LP and 1998's Never Say Never. "Saving All My Love" nearly recalls the name of a Whitney Houston classic, as well as cements the late icon's goat status. By any standard, Brandy's impressive tone sizzles on "Say Something," which is flourished with hard piano playing, stabbing horns and rumbling bass, seeks a reaction from an unrequited lover. One great use of new songwriting trends is the Victoria Monét-authored "Rather Be," a love hangover that features Brandy's nonlinear soul at the brim.

What makes b7 most singular and introspective is its references to her mental health. "Borderline," an inescapable composition and the album's biggest song, addresses schizophrenia at its emotional brink. Marked by ghost vocals, fine-tuned and stacked to perfection by the late LaShawn Daniels, Brandy's unhinged tone here is as complex as the cognitive disorder. "Bye Bipolar" closes b7 in a cathartic and triumphant way. Musically, this therapeutic song is fronted by a grand piano. Brandy figuratively and literally waves so long to the depressive illness that she best describes as a toxic partner and an unhealthy past relationship. b7 may not be as tunefully lucid as her previous albums, but it still has a profound impact on those that genuinely want to see Brandy succeed, and most importantly, be happy. — Antwane

https://ratedrnb.com/2020/12/the-30-best-rnb-albums-of-2020-staff-picks/

[Brandy's Unconditional Ocean]

I know that's fuckin right. Stan shit or otherwise, it's my favorite of the year

I loved a few albums this year though. Chloe X Halle, Kehlani, etc.  Brandy came through for me

[BranNu]

Right where it belongs

[Young]

Periodddddd

Other great releases this for me:

Teyana
Victoria Monet
Toni Braxton
Chloe X Halle

[Le Champ]

[Brandy's Unconditional Ocean]

The way my Queen put her fucking feet in this album

[long-timeXMasPartyFor2Fan]

Nice read.. love to see it!.

Brandy won for me personally this year too. I listen to a lot of music and there were some great albums but Brandy wins.

....

My runners up include

Cee-Lo Green - Cee-Lo Green Is Thomas Callaway
JoJo - Good To Know
Sam Sparro - Boombox Eternal
Tink - Hopeless Romantic
Lyrica Anderson - Bad Hair Day
Alanis Morissette - Such Pretty Forks In The Road

[whatever]

Nice read.. love to see it!.

Brandy won for me personally this year too. I listen to a lot of music and there were some great albums but Brandy wins.

....

My runners up include

Cee-Lo Green - Cee-Lo Green Is Thomas Callaway
JoJo - Good To Know
Sam Sparro - Boombox Eternal
Tink - Hopeless Romantic
Lyrica Anderson - Bad Hair Day
Alanis Morissette - Such Pretty Forks In The Road

I gotta listen to ceelo album...didn't know he released.

[long-timeXMasPartyFor2Fan]

Nice read.. love to see it!.

Brandy won for me personally this year too. I listen to a lot of music and there were some great albums but Brandy wins.

....

My runners up include

Cee-Lo Green - Cee-Lo Green Is Thomas Callaway
JoJo - Good To Know
Sam Sparro - Boombox Eternal
Tink - Hopeless Romantic
Lyrica Anderson - Bad Hair Day
Alanis Morissette - Such Pretty Forks In The Road

I gotta listen to ceelo album...didn't know he released.

CeeLo's album has a "classic" sound... it took me a few listens to really start to appreciate it. He's very talented

[Hatsumomo]

Right where it belongs

[bby ddy]

Yaaaassss!