Ro James, MANTIC | Album Review 💿

Grammy-nominated R&B artist Ro James delivers an enjoyable, ultra-sensual, and well-rounded sophomore album on MANTIC. 

The plight of the underrated – it’s a real thing.  Admittedly, many of us music critics certainly don’t help to advance the cause, often neglecting to promote less splashy names, sigh.  Certainly, I have been guilty numerous times of this, particularly in the realm of R&B.  However, after failing to review Grammy-nominated Ro James’ debut album, Eldorado, I certainly didn’t want to make the same mistake twice.  This man shouldn’t be underrated – let me just throw that out there. His sophomore album, MANTIC arrives four years after his debut, Eldorado and let me be the first to say, Ro puts on quite a show!

“Powder Room (IntRO)”

MANTIC initiates sensually with ✓ “Powder Room (IntRO).” Though labeled as an intro, it’s a full-length song built on a nontraditional form.  There is no verse, only intro, chorus, post-chorus, a refrain (a variant on the intro/chorus), and a brief outro.  The effect is some freaky, potent sex, with a dash of poetry:

“She took my hand
And put it where her flower blooms
She made it rain
On my fingers
And my family jewels...”

After “Powder Room (Intro)” sets the tone, ✓ “Last Time” keeps the energy and momentum afloat.  The production is pretty rad by Soundz, particularly using a pitched-up Usher sample (“Can U Handle It?”) to fuel Ro James’ fire.  On the four-and-a-half-minute joint, James brings bluntness, particularly on the second verse, regarding – you guessed it – sex. “Fucking, fucking with that nigga that’s a setback,” he sings, continuing, “Baby, you should ride with a real one / Get your groove back, honey.” He’s confident, mind you, but also acknowledges her ‘badness’ on the bridge:

“Ain’t no limit on you, baby
Super soaker when I’m in it, baby
Make me wanna spend my whole life.”

“Touchy Feely” is significantly shorter, but continues to effectively convey the romantic, sexy vibes of MANTIC.  James sings with conviction, balancing the soulfulness of the R&B of old with the swagger and hip-hop vibes of the modern edition of the genre.  MP808 gives him a nice lift regarding the production.

“Be Mine”

Standout ✓ “Be Mine” delightfully hearkens back to the R&B of the past, thanks to the production of Salaam Remi, known for his ‘old-school’ production sensibilities.  Even though the glorious sound of neo-soul is in play, “Be Mine” still finds Ro James playing a balancing act between the more overt, risqué normal of ‘new school’ (“I’m around if you need a fix / ‘Cause you know I’ll make the pussy cry”) and the classicism of the past.  James’ vocals really pop here, as he showcases just how truly gifted, he is. The best section of the song is the repetitive, high flying outro, which is directly out of the gospel-tinged soul manual.

✓ “Rain” doesn’t miss a beat on MANTIC, maintaining the utmost consistency.  There’s another production shift, this time with Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II behind the boards.  Like the other excellent backdrops, Ro James continues to have ample fuel to ‘bring it on home’ to the listeners.  What I love about the sound of “Rain” is that it embraces a bit of the pop/rock sound (that signature guitar sound), while still remaining true to the tenets of contemporary R&B.  Once more, James outdoes himself vocally, delivering an energetic, nuanced, sexed-up performance on this four-and-a-half-minute-plus gem.  Naturally, James isn’t referencing the weather:

“She got me all caught up
Pouring like water
Tonight (Oh-oh)
She dripping wet
Puddles on my lap
Girl, you’re so tight.”

Ooh la-la, Ro James! Furthermore, he wants her ‘all’ on the chorus: “Rain down on me / Gimme all that you got / ‘Til your well’s empty / I want you to rain down on me, baby.”

“Too Much”

“Cherry on Top (Interlude)” would’ve given Ro James another truly lit full-length cut, continuing to fit the ‘romantic’ concept of MANTIC.  Regardless, the Nez production is a sensational lead-in to standout ✓ “Too Much”, the fourth single from the album, featuring Miguel. “Is it too much? / Wonder how much more of this can I take.” Hmm, sounds like James is being pushed to the limit. The production is lush (Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman and Caston Grigsby), the vibe chill and relaxed, while the tempo relies on fewer BPMs. James continues to showcase his vocal chops, presenting a mix of overt, powered vocals, some sweet falsetto, as well as effects-altered vocals. All in all, it makes for a colorful, intriguing performance.

Of course, the ‘too much-ness’ comes into play with that four-letter word – LOVE. “I’ve been searchin’ for too long to let it go / You were my prescription to my antidote,” James sings on the first verse.  On the pre-chorus, he makes it clear that neither him or his bae “Ain’t shit,” yet, “There’s no one that I trust like you,” and “Ooh, you know we can’t quit, you know it.” The second verse perfectly captures the tumultuous nature of the relationship, where James suggest they build the chaos and dysfunction into, say, “A relationship like Bey and Jay.” As the only single reviewed prior to MANTIC, I gave “Too Much” a respectable 3 ½ stars out of 5, yet, after successive listens, that was certainly modest.  Sure, I would’ve loved to hear a verse or bridge from Miguel, but hard to deny how dope “Too Much” truly is.

“Excuse Me” 

Five words: “You got me fucked up!” Okay, now that we got that signature lyric established, ✓ “Excuse Me” represents another cut with an entirely set of producers – I ain’t mad at ya Ro!  “Excuse Me” keeps MANTIC compelling, thanks to a sound with some pop-crossover vibes, and a killer hook (“So excuse me / What’s your problem? / Why you so mad? / You’re crazy, babe”).  Furthermore, James continues to be on autopilot, balancing grit and more delicate, tender, and sweet falsetto.  The bridge is a welcome contrast.

Next, Ro James thinks ✓ “Outside the Box (How Bout That).” Here, with Andre Harris behind the boards, the tempo slackens, the sex intensifies (a lot), and another top-notch contemporary R&B cut is born.  The sexual innuendo is on-point – something fierce to say the least.  The chorus is the crowning achievement, though the verses get the stimulating job done superbly as well:

“Let me think inside your box and slide inside, your mental
How ‘bout that?
Let me bow beside your skin like you was born in September
How ‘bout that?
Let me tap into your solar plexus, stimulate your center
How ‘bout that…”

Then, Tricky Stewart returns to the boards, alongside Twnty47 on “Rose,” yet another winner.  Featuring uncredited vocals by Cynthia Harrell on the chorus, Ro James continues to paint such a potent, desirable sexual experience.  “Rose” is another prime example of balancing old-school and new school seamlessly.  It takes you back, yet certainly doesn’t sound like an anachronism in 2020.

“Plan B” 

If one merely examines the track list of MANTIC, two collaborations in particular catch one’s eye – one being “Too Much” featuring Miguel, and the other being ✓ “Plan B,” featuring Brandy.  “Plan B” runs just over three minutes, and features some of the most distinct production of the album (DJ Camper).  The tempo is slow – lethargic – continuing to tout the hyper romantic, hypersexual vibes of the album.  Where some of the records on MANTIC place more weight on the lyrics and song itself, “Plan B” seems to place more emphasis on the ambience and vibe itself.  The record sort of floats, which is a cool effect.

“Slow Down” marks the third official collaboration of MANTIC, featuring Masego.  While it may not garner the same buzz as the aforementioned collabs, the results remain effective.  Furthermore, compared to “Plan B,” “Slow Down” is definitely more traditional sounding.  J.KELR delivers a soulful, yet fresh backdrop. On the slow, guitar-driven ballad “Baby Blue,” he lusts over his baby. Specifically, he urges her to “Put on your lace, lace, lace, lace / Baby blue panties.” Anytime panties come into the picture, you just know it’s going down. 

With a title like “You,” well, you certainly reveal your cards.  That’s alright sometimes – not everything needs to be a surprise, right? Ro James gets straight to the point – “I want you baby / Said I only want you, baby…” Overall, it’s another consistent, pleasant record.  The outro, “Look of Things (Outro),” like the opener is a full-length number.  Unlike the opener, “Look of Things” has a more traditional structure, though embraces a minimalist approach.  A really cool closer, I love the subtle background vocals that add additional color during the chorus.   

Final Thoughts

All in all, Ro James does the damn thing on MANTIC.  This is an enjoyable, well-rounded contemporary R&B album. He successfully balances and bridges old- and new school, while always remaining idiomatic of R&B in general.  The assortment of producers ensures that MANTIC never gets stale, always engaging the lister.  There are rarely 15-track albums where every song is a highlight, and that’s not necessarily the case with MANTIC either, but there are NO egregious misses to be found whatsoever.  R&B is not dead – definitely not in the hands of Ro James. 

✓ Gems: “Powder Room (IntRO),” “Last Time,” “Be Mine,” “Rain,” “Too Much,” “Excuse Me,” “Outside the Box (How Bout That),” “Rose” & “Plan B”  

Ro James • MANTIC • ByStorm / RCA • Release: 5.29.20

Photo Credits: ByStorm / RCA