With only six years in the game, Trey Songz has made quite a name for himself. Best known for his provocative lyrics, seductive videos, and sexy performances, he seems to have the magic to make the ladies melt and the fellas take notes (think: “I Invented Sex” video). Just over a year after releasing his Grammy-nominated album Ready, the self-proclaimed “Prince of Virginia” is back with a new album to test just how deep our love for him goes. I’ll admit it: Trey stepped up his vocal skills on Passion, Pain, & Pleasure, but will that be enough to counter claims that he’s an updated version of an oversexed teenage boy?
Well, seems like he’s trying pretty damn hard to make us think otherwise.
When Trey said this was going to be his best album yet, I was a bit skeptical. Ready (2009) produced 5 successful singles, reached #3 on the Billboard 200 charts, and was even up for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 2010 Grammy Awards. And although I Gotta Make it (2005) and Trey Day (2007) received less love, they both offered up key songs to put Trey on the map. But after giving his 4th album a shot, there’s no denying the truth: Passion, Pain, & Pleasure is his strongest, most consistent, and best produced piece of work to date.
Trey “Mr. Steal Your Girl” Songz takes us on a holistic journey through his heart and his mind that leaves us slightly more satisfied than his three previous endeavors. We start off with the seductive and inebriated Trey we all know and love. He offers to help us relax on “Massage” and then takes out for a wild night with the help of Nicki Minaj on “Bottoms Up” (she’s so much of a character, you can’t help but love it). But then we’re introduced to three sides of Trey, with the help of dramatic interludes…
Here’s a quick overview:
PAIN
#7: Can’t Be Friends
The album’s second single and, surprisingly, I have nothing negative to say. Pretty dope video too (he WOULD take his shirt off… typical).
#8: Please Return My Call
Beautiful song, vocals are on point, and the vulnerability that he shows here seems more natural than on previous songs (see: “Yo Side of the Bed”). This is real R&B, congrats Trey!
PLEASURE
#11: Red Lipstick
Good production, a bit repetitive/average… but he’s back to making girls melt. I can’t be mad at it.
PASSION
#17: You Just Need Me
Well… honestly? This was just unnecessary. It’s almost as bad as Usher adding “OMG” to his track list (and then releasing it as a single…). To be the best you need to release the best. And this is not it.
While I commend the variety of emotions, my advice for Trigga would be to know when to cut bad songs. If you want to be on top, you have minimize the number of bad songs you have on your album, no matter how good the others are.
But overall, it looks like Trey is on the right path. Seems like the 25-year-old is growing out of the horny college kid phase and is finally sorting out his feelings. Still, based on some of these lyrics, he may need to take a class on gender studies: “… But I need you back in the crib cookin’ up some of that good chicken & gravy, mashed potatoes, homemade lemonade…” Hey Trey, why not cook it up for HER? Then maybe she’ll actually come back to you! But, that’s probably a discussion for another time.
Bottom line: the best tracks here are the least sexual ones (i.e. the entire Pain section). Maybe Trey will finally recognize it if we stop hyping up his average sex songs and start commending him for the rest of his work.
Final Grade: B/B+
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The Stats
Release Date: September 14
2 Singles (both with music videos): Bottoms Up (feat. Nicki Minaj), Can’t Be Friends
Best Song: Please Return My Call
Runners-up: Can’t Be Friends, Panty Droppa (The Complete Edition)
Worst Song: You Just Need Me
Runners-up: Blind
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