ALBUM PREVIEW: MONICA

After a 4 year hiatus, several push-backs, and leaks, R&B veteran Monica is finally set to release her 5th studio album, Still Standing. Since 2008, there has been buzz about this new Monica record, and now J Records is finally pulling all the stops to secure a hit album. The new disc is officially scheduled for a March 23 release. However, a preview of the album is available here.

The set features 10 tracks and definitely sounds like a solid, knockout album. Mo's last set "The Makings of Me" was a solid effort; Interesting, she does not deviate too far from that sound on this new set. I have a strong feeling "Still Standing" will resonate much better with fans for two reasons. Mainly, her BET show definitely helped generate buzz for the album and her music, and her debut single "Everything to Me" is like a breath of fresh air on the airwaves. It's one of those Monica records that people expect to hear, and its really what people want to hear - showing Monica fully understands her fans and the music buying public now because honestly bubblegum infused R&B is only a success for some but when you're actually talented and vocally gifted, people want all that you have to give! Furthermore, bubblegum infused R&B is on its way out with the likes of Chris Brown and Rihanna produces commercial flops, and it would just be nice if R&B artist that don't necessarily perform neo-soul records would just put out strictly R&B records like they did back in the 90's. Maxwell and Sade's successes are only testaments that good music from artist that stay in their lane is still appreciated and commercially viable.