Usher, Crash | Track Review 🎵

In no ways does Usher “crash and burn” on new single “Crash,” but neither does he make us yearn for his return to the music world.

Here’s the question of the century.  When is Usher going to release a new album? It seems as of late that the former R&B heartthrob has simply been releasing singles with little intention of bringing it all together.  Yep, since releasing his modestly selling Looking 4 Myself (2012), Usher has dropped the Grammy-nominated “Good Kisser,” “Give It to You” and “I Don’t Mind.”  Things have picked up for Usher as of late as he’s dropped two more potential album singles: “No Limit” featuring Young Thug and now “Crash.”  For our purposes, let’s focus on “Crash.”

Let’s start things off with the falsetto.  His falsetto is on-point without a doubt.  Sure, he uses his chest voice as well on the verse, but the chorus is exclusive his head voice.  He isn’t an old man by any means, but he’s 12 years removed from Confessions, a time when his falsetto was particularly flawless (so was Confessions).  But there’s more to “Crash” than merely some high notes. What about the song itself?

Well,…it’s respectable and well produced, but it lacks that “wow factor.”  In no ways does Usher “crash and burn” (no pun intended, promise), but he also doesn’t make us yearn for his return.  At least with “Good Kisser” he was risqué, considering he was singing about fellatio (“She’s such a good kisser / I’mma rain on this parade”).  That said, Usher is closer to 40 now and presenting an oversexed persona at this point wouldn’t be great…look at R. Kelly.  We’ll leave it there!

Usher • “Crash” • RCA • Released: 6.10.16

Photo Credit: RCA