Admitting the lead single, “Climax,” was “a risk,” Usher says “Looking For Myself,” his anticipated seventh studio album, is “consistent” yet an “eclectic” project.
“If you take no risk, you stand to gain nothing in life. Dare to be different. I don’t look like you, I don’t walk like you, I don’t dance like you, I don’t move like you or talk like you. That doesn’t make me odd, that makes me who I am. I want people to feel that essence of growth,” Usher says of the album. “This album is very consistent in the aspect of being eclectic.”
Due in June, “Looking For Myself” is also a defining project for Usher in that it introduces what he has touted for months — a new sound.
“I’ve been influenced in a way that makes me want to go against the grain,” Usher tells The Guardian.
As reported last year, Usher dubbed his new sound “revolutionary pop.” At the time, producer Rico Love pointed to creating music that would connect with just about any audience.
“Right now we’re just experimenting with different sounds,” Rico Love said of the upcoming project. “My job is to make sure it stays classic. I don’t feel like Usher is just a Top 40 artist or just an R&B artist or just a rhythmic artist. I gotta make records that connect to all formats.”
Usher’s “Looking For Myself” is due for release June 12.
Usher, the multi-platinum artist and R&B superstar has been making waves in the music industry for decades. His iconic songs are known around the world, and his latest album ‘Looking For Myself’ is no different. Usher talks about how this album reflects both a consistency of sound as well as an eclectic style that makes it truly unique.
This album has already earned critical acclaim from fans and critics alike since its release in 2012. It successfully blends classic elements from his previous work with fresh sounds to create something special – something that only Usher could have crafted together so masterfully. Its range includes everything from smooth R&B jams to poppy dancefloor favorites; he even collaborated with some of today’s biggest artists like will.i.am and Rick Ross!
In order to get more insight into what went on behind the scenes while creating this amazing piece of art, we spoke directly with Usher himselfabout ‘Looking For Myself’ and all that went into it. Read on to find out what the talented singer had to say!
Overview Of Album
Usher’s eighth studio album, Looking for Myself, is an eclectic and consistent collection of songs that represents his evolution as both a musician and a person. Released in 2012, this album shows the R&B star embracing different sounds from around the world while still maintaining his signature style. The record traverses multiple genres—from pop to hip-hop to R&B—allowing Usher to experiment with new ideas without losing sight of what makes him unique.
The diverse range of musical styles found on Looking for Myself allows Usher to explore themes like love, heartache, and personal growth throughout the course of several tracks. He showcases his powerful vocals on emotional ballads such as “Climax” and “Lessons For The Lover” while also experimenting with upbeat tunes like “Scream” and “Lemme See.” On each track, he demonstrates why he is one of the most successful contemporary singers in music today.
Looking for Myself captures Usher at a pivotal point in his career; it provides insight into how he has grown over time as both a musician and a person. Fans will appreciate its balance between experimentation and consistency; they will not be disappointed by its exploration of various genres or its focus on personal topics that are so central to Usher’s artistry. It stands out as a strong testament to the power of reinvention and self-discovery in modern music.
Critical Reception
Upon its release, Looking for Myself was met with critical acclaim. Critics praised Usher’s ability to bridge different genres of music and his willingness to experiment musically while still maintaining his signature style. Rolling Stone noted that the album “encapsulates much of what has made Usher one of R&B’s most successful singers: a knack for melody, an effortless falsetto and above all else, a vibrant energy in every track.” The New York Times also lauded Looking For Myself, calling it “a subtly powerful collection that reveals Mr. Raymond as ever evolving yet firmly rooted in the same fundamentals he mined early on.”
The commercial success of Looking for Myself further solidified Usher’s reputation as an artist who could remain true to himself while continuing to push boundaries and reinvent his sound. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and went on to become his fourth consecutive studio album to reach platinum status in the U.S., making him only the second male solo artist after Michael Jackson to achieve such a feat. Its lead single “Climax” became Usher’s 16th top ten hit on the Hot 100 list and earned him two Grammy Awards for Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song—further confirming its widespread appeal across multiple genres.
Usher’s eighth studio album is ultimately testament to how far he has come since breaking into mainstream music over 20 years ago; it proves that he can stay current without compromising his core identity or sacrificing quality. Looking for Myself is an eclectic mix of sounds from around the world but ultimately remains consistent in both style and substance—a fitting description of Usher’s career thus far.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Usher’s ‘Looking For Myself’ is a consistent and eclectic album that has earned critical acclaim. The album showcases his vocal range and lyrical talent as well as incorporating various styles of music to create something unique. It features collaborations with some of the biggest names in hip-hop and R&B, which adds an extra layer of depth to each track. Although he may not have reached the heights of success that he had achieved prior to this release, it still stands out among many other releases from 2012. Usher should be applauded for taking risks, pushing boundaries and delivering a strong body of work. I believe that ‘Looking For Myself’ will continue to stand the test of time and remain one of Usher’s most beloved albums.
