1123

Over ten years of incremental progressions paid off for when he released his first proper album, , cracked the R&B/hip-hop Top Ten, and was nominated for three Grammys. Although it follows by three years, , titled after the singer's birthdate, is of similar composition, easing sinuously from communal feel-good jams to unguarded love ballads. As with , it showcases 's high gospel-soul aptitude and ability to appeal to older and younger listeners, whether they pine for an enunciating or an R&B artist who sounds like an adult and can sing to stunning effect without showing off. The album's hottest three-song stretch plays most to 's strengths with slow-bumping retro-modern grooves that are played and programmed. The churning "Too Good," stoked by 's tense guitar and organ, delivers a message to men who respond to promising relationships with self-sabotage. then practices what he preaches with a sensitive and smoldering cover of 's "Close" and one of his most stirring originals, "Rather Be with You," where reminiscing about episodes of Martin and listening to records sounds as blissful as any explicit moment that occurs elsewhere. Another highlight is the slightly indecent, old school-styled testimonial "Time Today." ~ Andy Kellman