[REVIEW] R&B’s Girl Next Door Comes Into Her Womanhood on “Two Eleven”

October 16, 2012 marked the release of Brandy’s highly anticipated sixth studio album “Two Eleven.” The album is a comeback of sorts as it follows 2004’s underappreciated “Afrodisiac” and 2008’s commercially disappointing “Human.”

By now most of us are familiar with Brandy’s story: Budding R&B songstress begins laying the groundwork for a Whitney-esque career by becoming America’s 90’s pop princess with multi-platinum albums, hit movies /TV shows, and numerous endorsement deals. These career highs were followed by a sea of lows which led many to believe Brandy was an artist who seemed to have lost confidence in her gift and in her-self.

So, what’s a diva in despair to do? Well if you’re Brandy you assemble a team of the hottest hit makers in current Hip-Hop & R&B and craft one of the most forward moving R&B albums in recent memory. And that is exactly what “Two Eleven” is. It’s a progressive forward leaning R&B album that allows an artist like Brandy to maintain her roots, but also branch out and explore current elements of the genre. While her contemporaries have made stabs at staying relevant by infusing their music with electronic dance pop, or by re-creating 90’s era new jack swing, Brandy has created a body of work that holds up as current and fresh, yet grounded in old school R&B.

The project’s second single; “Wildest Dreams” is a breezy ode to finding a once unimaginable love. As Brandy’s been forthright in discussing her struggles with accepting and loving herself, “Wildest Dreams” is about finding that lover who loves you flaws and all. Or maybe, Brandy’s talking about finally loving herself? That’s the beauty of the record. At one part it’s a declaration of self-love and on the other it’s excitement at finding another half who loves all of you.

Listen to “Wildest Dreams”

On the Sean Garret penned “So Sick,” Brandy backs the track with “Oooh” harmonies as she sings about that disappointment we all have in ourselves when we start compromising our values for someone we deeply care for. It’s lyrically one of the strongest on “Two Eleven,” as it’s relatable for anyone ever having been in a situation where a shady lover is continually welcomed back with open arms.

While previous efforts found Brandy talking about “sittin up in her room,” R&B’s girl next door gets a little more intimate and shares what might be going on in her bedroom with the steamy “Slower.” When she coos, “I love the way you’re touching all over my body, kissing and licking up on me I know you want to beat up, but I’m sorry, that ain’t really my thing,” it’s Brandy showing us she’s down to get down, but on her terms. It’s a refreshing breath of confidence and sexuality needed from her at this point in her career. It’s Janet’s “Control” but done the Brandy way.

“No Such thing as Too Late” finds the singer demonstrating some of her best vocal moments, as she glides between smoky lows and then slowly rises to her upper register. Sean Garret and Bangladesh sample Lykke Li’s “Tonight” on Brandy’s “Let Me Go.” The production is a bit frantic, but still holds up as a solid track on the album.

The Piano production and vocal delivery on “Without You” make it a standout on the album. She willfully acknowledges when she told her lover that she didn’t need him, she wasn’t being completely honest with herself. It follows the confessional theme on “Two Eleven.” This is Brandy being honest with her-self and with the mistakes she’s made. Brandy being honest with what she wants from her lover both in and out of the bedroom, and ultimately what she wants out of life.

There are a lot of great songs on the album. Lead single “Put it Down” garnered the right amount of buzz needed to spark interest in this project, but the standout track is the Frank Ocean written “Scared of Beautiful.” It’s Brandy at her most vulnerable, emoting a fear of leaning in to her full self, the lightness, the darkness and embracing the whole person that she is. It serves as a personal narrative of the last few years of her life, and the lead up to “Two Eleven.”

Listen to “Put It Down”

Two Eleven is a success on multiple fronts. First, there exists a healthy co-dependency between artist and song. The tracks on “Two Eleven” may not be as strong without a vocalist of Brandy’s caliber interpreting the lyrics. But Brandy also needed current songs to bring her into this new musical era. The songs here are sung with conviction and grittiness. Second, her ability to bring a song to life and story tell has gotten stronger, mostly because she’s improved at learning how to use her instrument. Make no mistake about it; Brandy was schooled in the vocal house that Nippy built, but what she’s managed to do with her voice and harmonizing is create a distinct tone and sound that is identifiable to her. Music lovers listen for her silky harmonizing or a perfectly placed run that enhances rather than detracts from the song.

At nearly twenty years in the game, it’s fresh and exciting to see Brandy paint with so many colors on “Two Eleven” and come out with a solid album. The album is a testament to timing and aligning the right singer with the right producers, with an expectation that everyone involved bring their best.

Here’s hoping Brandy and her team’s hard work has paid off, and here is a woman whose done everything right and should finally reap the success worthy of her talent.

“Two Eleven,” Brandy’s sixth album, is available now via RCA/Chameleon.

Brandy Norwood, better known by her stage name Brandy, has been a household name in R&B since the mid-90s. She’s gone from being America’s girl next door to an international superstar and one of the most successful female artists in music history. Now, with her seventh studio album, “Two Eleven”, fans get to witness as she enters womanhood and discovers who she is now as an artist.

The release of Two Eleven was highly anticipated due to the success of Brandy’s previous albums like Never Say Never (1998) and Afrodisiac (2004). The album features collaborations with some of today’s hottest R&B stars such as Chris Brown and Sean Garrett. Fans are eager to hear how Brandy’s sound has evolved over time and what kind of new material she has to offer.

From soulful ballads about love lost to upbeat bops that make you dance your heart out; there is something for every type of fan on this record. Through it all, we get a glimpse into Brandy’s journey of self-discovery and growth as an artist through her classic yet innovative approach to songwriting. Join us as we dive deeper into the story behind Two Eleven and learn why it may be considered one of Brandys best works yet!

Artist Background

Brandy Norwood, known to most as R&B’s girl next door and one of the princesses of 90’s music, has been in the music industry for over 25 years. Her breakthrough came with her second album “Never Say Never” (1998), which featured the hit single “The Boy Is Mine” featuring Monica that soon became an anthem around the world. Now, after a lengthy hiatus from recording new material, Brandy is back with her sixth studio album “Two Eleven”.

This new effort marks a departure from her previous works in many ways: it finds our heroine embracing more mature themes such as heartache, reflection on past relationships and coming into womanhood while also incorporating elements of soul and hip-hop influences. The title itself is taken from Brandy’s birthdate — February 11th — making this record a very personal project indeed. Furthermore, she collaborated with producers like Bangladesh, who produced Lil Wayne’s “A Milli” and Timbaland among others; adding another layer to the soundscape.

Much like its predecessor Human (2008), Two Eleven touches upon personal topics but provides us with a different perspective now that we see Brandy at 32 instead of 22 when Human was released. With songs about love lost or learning to accept yourself for your flaws , listeners are treated to an intimate look at how Brandy has grown as both an artist and person since last gracing us with new music four years ago.

Album Analysis

The opening track “Wildest Dreams” sets the tone for the rest of the album with its soulful vibe and Brandy’s powerful yet vulnerable vocal performance. The lyrics address themes such as self-doubt, longing for what could have been but never was, and learning to appreciate yourself in spite of your flaws. This song is followed by other standouts like “So Sick”, a passionate plea from someone who has had enough heartache; and the Timbaland produced “Let Me Go” which finds our heroine defying an overbearing lover.

For those looking for lighter fare, Two Eleven also features several upbeat numbers such as “No Such Thing As Too Late” which plays out almost like a conversation between two lovers on opposite sides of town eager to be reunited. Then there’s the reggae-tinged single “Put It Down” featuring Chris Brown that celebrates female empowerment through empowering lyrics about being independent and not needing anyone else to make you complete.

Overall, Two Eleven stands up as one of Brandy’s most mature works so far; this record showcases her growth both musically and lyrically since Human while still staying true to R&B roots. With production from some of today’s top producers combined with Brandy’s stirring vocals, it is easy to see why this album has resonated so much with fans old and new alike.

Conclusion

Brandy Norwood has been an influential force in the R&B genre for more than two decades, and her latest album Two Eleven is a testament to her growth as an artist. On this project, Brandy looks back on her life experiences while confidently embracing adulthood. She combines retro sounds with modern production techniques to create music that feels both nostalgic and current. The lyrics are honest and vulnerable, but they also express strength and resilience. This album highlights Brandy’s impressive range of vocal styles, from smooth ballads to upbeat dance tunes. It’s clear that she isn’t afraid to take risks musically or lyrically, which makes Two Eleven a truly unique listening experience.

Overall, it’s evident that Brandy had something special in mind when creating Two Eleven – it’s an ode to womanhood that celebrates self-empowerment and maturity. With its mix of classic soulfulness and contemporary flair, this is one of the most memorable albums of recent years. Whether you’re already familiar with Brandy or just discovering her work now, there’s no doubt that Two Eleven deserves your attention!