“Fortune” by Chris Brown

After several pushbacks, Chris Brown’s fifth studio album, Fortune, was finally released on June 29th, 2012. This is his first release off of RCA Records. As executive producer of the album, Brown didn’t think twice about who he wanted to collaborate with on the album. Enlisting numerous big hit record producers including The Underdogs, Polow da Don, Brian Kennedy, The Runners, Danja, and others, Brown knew exactly what sound he was aiming for. In addition, Brown features several artists on his album such as Big Sean & Wiz Khalifa, Nas, Sevyn, Sabrina Antoinette & Kevin McCall. Brown’s first single, “Turn Up The Music” produced by Fuego and The Underdogs, is definitively a song for the clubs. Brown has worked with The Underdogs before on previous albums: F.A.M.E. (2011), Exclusive (2007), and Chris Brown (2005). The track is an up-tempo dance track that incorporates many synths and hard bass and drum claps. Towards the end of the song, the beat breaks down so you can hear the energy of Brown’s vocals. “Turn it up, just dance with me,” Brown sings. There is no denying that this song will make you break a sweat in the club.

Fortune is a mix of bouncy and sweet soulful tracks. “Sweet Love”, Brown’s second single steps away from the club atmosphere and caters more towards his love for women. It is a slow jam R&B narrative that exhibits elements of electronic music. What would a Chris Brown album sound like without songs for the ladies? The track, Strip featuring Kevin McCall takes a more sexual approach. Produced by Tha Bizness, Strip is a “bouncy synth-heavy” R&B track where Brown shows off his vocals to a stripper.

Another big hit, “Till I Die” featuring Big Sean & Wiz Khalifa is a feel good track about living the good life. Lyrics center around women, smoking weed, and spending money. It is an up-tempo hip-hop song that blends military drumbeats and R&B instruments with electro music. Many metaphors are heard throughout the song. Brown raps, “Sippin and I’m faded/ Super medicated/ Said she wanna check the poll/ I said ok, Sarah Palin.” This is a song you must crank in your car on the way to the beach.

My favorite track off Fortune is “Don’t Wake Me Up”. The second I heard the track, I couldn’t sit still. This is a dance pop song that features an intense bassline and repetitive chorus. The underlying message of the song is about a lost loved one who exists only in a dream. The song starts off slow and gradually launches into a full force dance party. You don’t want to miss this track! Brown decided to drop his “graffiti” image for a more futuristic look for this album. Only the future will tell us what Chris Brown has in store for us next. Don’t miss the tracks “Trumpet Lights”, “Don’t Wake Me Up”, “Turn Up The Music”, “Party Hard / Cadillac (Interlude)” and “Touch Me”.

By Ally Doxsey

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