Mary J. Blige – The Breakthrough

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There is no doubting Mary J. Blige’s incredible voice. She can hit notes that would make fellow R&B divas such as Mariah Carey, weep. However, the question that I often ask myself is that, why doesn’t she use this talent to excel and move away from generic R&B music? Mary J. Blige’s new album, The Breakthrough, showcases her wonderful vocal talents. However, her talent is lost amongst clumsy beats, and a cheap feel that really sends this album to the bottom of the barrel.

Unlike such contemporaries as Angie Stone and Erykah Badu, Blige chooses to provide weak hooks, and wailing verses. She never threatens to ‘breakthrough’ any kind of new musical ground. As evidenced by her immense guest MC list, Blige renders herself ‘just another R&B singer’.

That isn’t to say that some of the tracks on this album aren’t enjoyable. Can’t Hide From Luv successfully recaptures her earlier work Can’t Knock the Hustle with Jay-Z and I Found My Everything featuring Raphael Saadiq is quite a moving ballad. However, if I have been promised a ‘breakthrough’ then that is what I expect, and tracks such as Baggage and the woeful Wil I. Am track About You are astoundingly uninspiring.

The Breakthrough is definitely worth a listen, however, if you are expecting any ground breaking material, then look elsewhere. This LP is for lolly-pop loving R&B fans, who don’t even know that R&B really means Rhythm and Blues.