Album Description: "Closer," written by Ne-Yo and produced by Stargate, is the first single from Ne-Yo's upcoming third album, YEAR OF THE GENTLEMAN, set to arrive in stores June 24th. It is the follow-up to Because Of You (released May 2007), which received this year's Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album, and In My Own Words (February 2006) - both of which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.
In addition to his Contemporary R&B Album award, Ne-Yo earned four other Grammy nominations this year, including two for his collaboration with Rihanna, "Hate That I Love You" (which he co-wrote), namely Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance Duo/Group; as well as Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his #2 hit "Because Of You"; and Record of the Year for Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable" (which he co-produced). Ne-Yo's Grammy recognition followed up the UK's 13th annual MOBO (Music Of Black Origin) Awards in September 2007 - the only televised European Awards Show solely dedicated to urban music and culture - at which he won for Best Song ("Because Of You") and Best R&B Act.
Ne-Yo's RIAA platinum debut album In My Own Words was nominated for a Grammy as Best Contemporary R&B Album. It spun off three chart-topping hits, starting late-2005 with his debut Def Jam single, the #1 Grammy-nominated "So Sick," followed by "When You're Mad" and "Sexy Love." Ne-Yo capped 2006 as Male R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year at the Billboard Music Awards. At the The 21st Annual Soul Train Music Awards in February 2007, Ne-Yo won the Coca-Cola Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap new Artist for "Sexy Love."
Don't Stop-Get Closer Well I am a Ne-yo supporter. He is without a doubt a great songwriter, a little better than average performer and although I enjoyed particular songs on this release, collectively the album just didn't have the flow that his previous releases. I think the first was good, second was great and this is back to good. I really enjoyed album 2 Because of you it just had so much momentum. Year of the Gentlemen starts off with a kick, but then has momemts when it drags and then picks back up and not just because the songs were slower in pace.
Good Album Even though his voice is too lightweight for me I do enjoy many of his album songs.
Absolutely fabulous I can't tell you how many times I've listened to this album since it's release. Track Number 1,3, 4, 5, 6. 7,....OK... the whole album is great. Some songs make me laungh, some make me cry, some make me feel empowered and some make me me feel greatful. Go ahead, BUY IT.....you will enjoy it.
Wonderful This album is by far the best I have heard this year. Every song on the album is awesome. You must buy it today. My favorite song is Miss Independent.
Ne-Yo You're the Best! After having the awesome and exhilarating experience of meeting Ne-yo at his album release party at Atlanta's "300 Atlanta" bowling alley/lounge, I totally fell head over heels for this lyrical genius. Ne-yo brings an element to R&B that has not been heard in decades. He ingeniously unites the sounds of some of Michael Jackson's greatest hits with his own touch of the quality classic Ne-yo sound! Ne-yo took his time writing this album. He went deep inside of himself to express the feelings of women, the pain of broken relationships and the regret of passing up a good woman, only to witness the marriage of that person to a man who Ne-yo exclaims "funny you don't know what you got, `til you don't got it no more ("Fade Into the Background" - beautifully written and oh, so Ne-yo!!). On "Miss Independent" he chooses his words carefully by denoting that what turns him on about a woman is a "woman who wants you, but don't need you"! The beat and the lyrics mesh beautifully for a definite #1 hit! This song lets you know, Ne-yo is definitely at the top of his game! On other cuts, such as "Part of the List", "Stop this World" and "So You Can Say", the lyrical genius in Ne-yo is truly shining! This time around Ne-yo has shown that this is undoubtedly the "Year of the Gentleman". If you are looking for segues to raunchy tracks like "Mirror" or "Sex with My Ex" found on previous Ne-yo classics, you will not find it - this creative genius is able to express his sexual appetite in such a debonair manner you think you are listening to cuts from Marvin Gaye or Eddie Kendricks from the Temptations! Ne-yo has matured and the Year of the Gentleman is a celebration of that maturity. You will not be disappointed one bit.
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