Trey Songz, Back Home | Album Review 💿

R&B standout Trey Songz delivers a long, but totally enjoyable project with Back Home, his long-awaited, eighth studio album.

Up until the arrival of Back Home in 2020, the last proper Trey Songz album arrived in 2017 (Tremaine the Album).  Despite the hiatus, the sexed-up R&B singer managed to keep busy, including the release of a pair of mixtapes – 28 and 11 – in 2018. If you’d been missing him hardcore, Songz ensures that you get a heaping dose of him on his eighth studio album, oh to the tune of 22 tracks and 70 minutes in duration.  It’s lengthy, but more often than not, Back Home is a solid R&B album.

“Be My Guest”

The sleekly produced, slow-paced ✅ “Be My Guest” kicks off Back Home, sexually, of course.  Sex is often the modus operandi of Trey Songz, so, it makes perfect sense that he’d launch the album with something titillating.  “Be My Guest” isn’t clean mind you – “And she keep me like her panties, somewhere over to the side” – but it’s also not the filthiest record Trey has ever recorded.  Follow up “Save It” keeps the same energy, finding Songz thinking with his ‘other head,’ ‘the love below!’ Perhaps he is indeed thinking about a deeper connection when he asserts, “I ain’t gon’ play unless I’m playin’ for keeps,” but there is still pleasure to be had.  Focusing merely on “Save It” as a song, the artist continues to be true to self with pretty effective results.

The cards are revealed on the brief interlude, “Hands On” where, predictably, Trey asserts, “You know I’m a hands-on learner, can I learn you?” Of course, that learning is sexual, conveyed solidly with a lush backdrop and smooth vocals jam-packed with game.  On the slow, slick burner “Lost & Found,” he wants to be her savior – essentially.  The chorus says it all, as he’ll “Turn that lost into a found” and “Put my lost into your found.”  While there’s some redeeming substance, there’s also some surefire double entendre concerning what Trey’s “lost” is that he desires to “put […] into [her] found.”

“Circles”

✅ “Circles” finds Trey and his girl in a conundrum.  The relationship has clearly been on the rocks, but neither can seem to get over each other.  He says it all on the chorus when he asserts, “If you’re lookin’ for closure, don’t take your clothes off.” Why? Well, the sex is definitely temporary atonement, but doesn’t solve the problem or keep them from going in circles.

“Round & Round,” another interlude, is a fitting follow-up for obvious reasons, given the vicious circle that precedes.  Back Home continues on with the compound duple ballad, “Two Ways.” The metric change and groove shift arrive timely, providing some additional contrast to the album.  Sure, the formula is much the same – all things love – but it’s enough of change to keep things fresh. As always, Trey sings stunningly – he’s fully invested, particularly when he hits that falsetto.

“A blunt to the face / Now I want a taste of you.” Hmm, Trey Songz is getting a ‘two-for-one’ deal essentially on ✅ “Hit Different” (not to be confused with the SZA joint). Here, the focus is on getting high and having sex.  Honestly, that’s about the size of it when it comes down to it.  The weed only heightens the senses when it comes to ‘getting it in.’ Truthfully, Songz is true to self, especially on the naughty, risqué, but utterly infectious chorus.

“That shit hit different when we both faded
I put the tip in, watch you go crazy
You know it ain’t a party ‘til we both naked
And we ain’t finished ‘til your legs shakin’.”

“Cats Got My Tongue”

There’s more mention of smoking and sex on ✅ “Cats Got My Tongue.” While the title plays off the classic expression/idiom, Trey is being more literal.  The cat he’s referencing is certainly a different sort of pussy 😺…  This slow jam is freaky but once more, totally enjoyable.  You’ll be ready to purr afterwards, promise! If you seek something a bit more wholesome, how about ✅ “Back Home” featuring Summer Walker.

“Back Home” depicts a love-hate relationship.  This contemporary R&B record features sleek urban production work by Chrishan and Hitmaka.  The backdrop consists of a robust bass line, keyboards, and more of a ‘throwback’ R&B beat. With the vibe established, Trey Songz does work vocally.  His tone is rich and sexy.  Worth noting, he seems to place more emphasis on the love. Walker excels on the second verse, providing a response to Trey’s dedication, continuing to capture the love-hate dynamic perfectly: “You get on my damn nerves / Then I say that I’m done / Then I miss you in the middle of the club.” Trey responds with a final verse, confirming that despite their disagreements, “It’s never really over” because, again, “If this isn’t love, why do I keep coming back?”

“On Top of Me”  

If you thought the sex had possibly cooled off, well, you must not know Trey Songz that well. “On Top of Me” finds him describing exactly how it’s going to go down in between them sheets.  Honestly, the song title gives it away given the artistic identity and reputation of the artist.  It’s predictable in that sense, but if you need some good sex music as a catalyst for your own endeavors, this is perfect.  Also, worth noting, they switch positions – just saying!

Keeping Back Home moving, ✅ “On Call” brings one of urban music’s busiest, most highly demanded collaborators, Ty Dolla $ign.  As always, Ty brings his distinct pipes, which sound pretty awesome over a rad backdrop by Renzy808.  Even so, it is Trey who shines brightest, particularly on the infectious chorus, where he informs her, “Don’t leave me lonely / Baby girl, you’re on call.” “Nobody’s Watching” is a fitting follow-up, maintaining the same vibe and energy.  After being “On Call” for the ‘love,’ here, Songz expresses exactly what he wants from her/to do to her.  This includes, “Goin’ in” and “Blowing [her] back out.”

A taste of reggae/tropical pop arrives on “Sleepless Nights” featuring DaVido.  Sometimes, non-reggae artists incorporating reggae in their music works while at others, it doesn’t.  It’s okay in this instance, but so many artists have ‘played this card’ at this point, it’s a bit played out at this point.  The groove is effective, but this is the type of record I’m more inclined to skip than spin over and over again.  ✅ “GLA” atones, however, with its lethargic pace, compound duple meter, and lazy, chilled-out production work (SOS and Scotty Massenburg). As you might’ve guessed, “GLA” stands for “Ghetto love affair.” Trey perfectly confirms his status as “Mr. steal your girl.”  In the context of Back Home, indeed, “This shit’s a different kind of high.”

“Rain”

✅ “Rain” pairs Trey Songz with one of the mellowest fellows in the game, Swae Lee. Ultimately, it’s a pleasant, relaxed number.  Lee contrasts Songz’s more full-bodied vocals with cooler, lighter vocals that very much evoke a vibe. I have no doubt this will be a crowd pleaser and favorite, despite the fact that “love and happiness [do, in, fact] live next to pain.”  Post-“Rain,” there is a “Tug of War,” which, again, feels like a fitting follow-up in regard to sequencing. Trey doesn’t move out of his lane, but he ups the ante as far as substance considering the fact that he wants her, and she’s trying her best to exit.

✅ “All This Love” marks the 18^th track on Back Home – yep – Trey has a lot to ‘sing.’  On this near-five-minute cut, he pours out his heart, urging her to embrace “all this love” he has to give.  He comes off sincerely by all means, moving beyond what goes down in the bedroom.  Also helping his cause is gorgeous production work, courtesy of Danny Ezra Murdock, Eric Hudson, Johnta Austin, and Troy Taylor. “OG Lovelude” caps off “all this love” that Trey has to give.

“2020 Riots: How Many Times”  

✅ “2020 Riots: How Many Times” certainly marks an uncharacteristic song by Trey Songz.  Furthermore, I’m not even sure it fits Back Home.  Still, this powerful record is among the best on the album, even as the oddball out. Like so much of the world, Songz is perturbed and totally pissed off about the racial injustice which has really come to head in 2020, due to the senseless, unjust deaths of black men and women. “2020 Riots: How Many Times” superbly captures the frustration and the pain.

Songz opts for an old-school vibe with a dash of gospel sensibilities. Troy Oliver and Troy Taylor give him fuel for his fire, alongside the troubling happenings themselves.  After a brief intro, Songz cuts straight to the chase on the somber chorus:

“How many mothers have to cry
How many brothers gotta die?
How many more times?
How many more times?”

HEAVY. On the verses, he drives the narrative of injustices, referencing details that occurred to those slain (“Playin’ in a park, takin’ your jog…”) and calling for action.  One lyric that particular hits hard: “You got a problem, ‘cause the city on fire / But you quiet when niggas die…” Of course, Songz is more eloquent at times, such as, “It’s so hard to sing these words out loud / All these beautiful, precious black lives / Lost in the name of senseless white pride / Tears fallin’ from my eyes.” “2020 Riots: How Many Times” is among the best songs of 2020 thanks to being authentic, heartfelt, thoughtful and woke.

“I Know a Love”

As aforementioned, Back Home runs long.  If “2020 Riots: How Many Times” seems like a fitting coda (despite not perfectly fitting the album), Trey Songz returns to love on the 21^st song.  There’s a difference though, as he is reflecting on love as a father to his, Noah. Closing outro, “Noah Love,” further celebrates his blessing.

Final Thoughts 

So, how does Back Home stack up, all said and done? There are plenty of positives, all in all.  Trey Songz is a seasoned vet at this point, so, he’s on autopilot from stop to finish.  While this 70-minute project is too long, there are more than enough gems to tickle your fancy – you can pick and choose the best of the best.  The Songz fan base should be totally fired up and geeked for this one.

✅ Gems: “Be My Guest,” “Hit Different,” “Circles,” “Cats Got My Tongue,” “Back Home,” “On Call,” “GLA,” “All This Love” & “2020 Riots: How Many Times”

Trey Songz • 💿 Back Home • 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 Release: 10.9.20

📷 Photo Credit: Atlantic