Whitney Houston’s forthcoming album “I Look To You” has been the talk of the net; the watercooler; and perhaps the dinner table. Now that the diva has offered up a preview of the album, the question is…. does this album make the cut ? Read on to get the lowdown on “I Look To You,” track by track. “No interlude or intro needed this time around,” Whitney Houston mustâve thought on her highly anticipated 7th studio album, “I Look To You”. She kicks it off with straight vocals within the first 10 seconds of the song “Million Dollar Bill”. This song is talking to all the women out there with good men who make them feel appreciated and coveted like a Million Dollar Bill. Maybe thatâs the kind of love Whitney is looking for this time around. “Nothing But Love” To be honest, I was kind of disappointed by “Nothing But Love,” a song that follows “Million Dollar Bill”. I understand the message but I donât think it was expressed in the best way lyrically. The terminology at certain points in the song doesnât sound like the sophisticated Whitney we all know. “Call You Tonight” “Call You Tonight” follows the typical song formula of ‘girl misses boy’. Iâm not impressed! “I Look To You” Past the first two album fillers we make our way to the title track and I must say this is the perfect song to re-introduce Whitney to the music industry after all that sheâs been through. It has that signature Whitney Houston sound that can never be duplicated. This song is more like an open letter to her supporters that never gave up on her and to God for instilling inner strength in her to fight. “Like I Never Left” Akon lends his vocals on “Like I Never Left,” all while sounding like the perfect concoction. The two blend vocally really well. This song is pure goodness with a long belt out by Ms. Houston at the end. “A Song For You” This album would not be complete without that universal radio appeal track and that is exactly what “A Song For You” delivers. Sheâs singing hard from the top of the key at the beginning to the end. It brings back that 1993 “Iâm Every Woman” vibe so get out your glow sticks and dancing shoes! “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” Itâs obvious Whitney let go in this album and opened up a lot about her obstacles and pain life has set in front of her. “I Didnât Know My Own Strength” sounds like a continuation of “I Look To You”. She opens the song honestly, singing: âLost touch with my soul / I had no where to turn / I had no where to go / Lost sight of my dream,/ Thought it would be the end of me / I thought Iâd never make it through / I had no hope to hold on to / I thought I would breakâ. Even though we all saw the fall, sheâs not afraid to describe it as a dark time in the chorus stating, âI crashed down, and I tumbled / But I did not crumble / I got through all the pain / I didnât know my own strength / Survived my darkest hour.â With this song she clearly lets us see she is not âbuilt to breakâ! “For The Lovers,” “I Got You” and “Worth It” I found that “For the Lovers” and “I Got You” were merely album fillers, both focusing on the central theme, which is love. Even though Whitney has been hurt like many other women, in the mid tempo song “Worth It” she hasnât let all that heartache harden her view on true happiness. “Salute” Once considered Americaâs Sweetheart Whitney Houston discovered her inner swag in the closing track “Salute” by dismissing a man she felt she couldnât do without. I canât help but read between the lines. It feels like sheâs subliminally talking about Bobby Brown. She shows her strength by singing: âI’m feeling kinda taller than you (lately) / I’m feeling kinda stronger than you (lately) / I feel kinda better than youâ¦.. Cause am I soldier girl in this world / I stand alone, I can be strong / I walk for miles and made it home / It’s good to know without you I made it / Soldier girl in my world / took the fall now I stand tall / For the pain and all I made it through and now I’m vow to say to you Saluteâ. There it is. Whitney Houston’s “I Look To You” reviewed…. If you’ve heard the album or some of the songs, let us know if “I Look To You” makes the cut (below).
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