I honestly didn’t know what to expect from Chris Brown’s Fortune album, but I’ve finished listening to it in it’s entirety thanks to this lovely iTunes stream. Here’s what I think…
1. “Turn Up the Music” – My favorite of all the singles. Wish it got more promo when it was released.
2. “Bassline” – I’m glad he kept this one for the album. It’s one of his best club-bangers to date. Great use of dub — it’s not so “I’m a pop star trying to use dub-step elements because it’s hot right now”.
3. “Till I Die” feat. Big Sean & Wiz Khalifa – It’s okay. Didn’t really do to much for me.
4. “Mirage” feat. Nas – While I think the sample is overused, the song overall is decent. Nas’ contribution is the best bit.
5. “Don’t Judge Me” – LOVE this song! It’s so honest & sincere.
6. “2012” – I hear Kevin McCall’s signature production all over this, but that’s not bad at all. It’s a bedroom jam without being so explicit. I feel like it’s something Tank would sing.
7. “Biggest Fan” – Very late 80s/early 90s R&B, which I love. My favorite ‘slow-jam’ on the entire LP.
8. “Sweet Love” – Hate it.
9. “Strip” feat. Kevin McCall – I’m so tired of this song currently, but that’s okay. It’s still great.
10. “Stuck on Stupid” – This is one of those songs where I don’t dig it on first listen, but I’m sure I will after I spin it a few times. It has that ‘grower’ feel…
11. “4 Years Old” – There’s something about this that I don’t like. At all.
12. “Party Hard/Cadillac (Interlude)” feat. Sevyn – It’s too similar to “4 Years Old.” Not sure why they kept them both. I don’t mind this one. The “Cadillac” side is better. Sevyn sings her ass off!
13. “Don’t Wake Me Up” – I still like the leaked version better. This version seems over-produced. I still sing it in the car though.
14. “Trumpet Lights” feat. Sabrina Antoinette – The production is amazing! Great way to end the album.
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Best songs: “Bassline,” “Biggest Fan,”Trumpet Lights” and “2012”
Overall: It’s a really solid and cohesive album and I like it better than F.A.M.E. My only issue is that everything sounds great, right now. Nothing about this is album is timeless. Fortune lacks longevity.
