I must have been living under a rock for the last month or so, because I had no idea that Jamie Foxx was releasing a new album. It has been a while for Foxx, but I guess he has been too busy winning Oscars and what not. I absolutely love Jamie Foxx, especially as an actor. He’s definitely a great vocalist as well, more noticeably when he’s throwing out all these different impressions of other artists, such as Ray Charles. Unfortunately, this album too, is a massive impersonation of other artists. Together with that, it can also be observed that there is a constant battle between wanting to sound current and cool, and wanting to be true to his age.

I listened to most of this album with my cousin who is also as musically switched on, particularly in R&B artists. A repeated comment as each song came up, was how this song sounded like something this singer would do, or that song is very similar to that song. We picked up influences from Chris Brown, Trey Songz and Drake. So, that led us to believe, is he trying to stay as current as possible? He is much older and wiser; why didn’t he make something that matched his maturity and experiences? If he was going to reflect on some inspiration, why not draw from Luther Vandross, or Lionel Ritchie instead? Don’t get me wrong, the tracks are good, but you can’t shake off that feeling that it sounds like something else. You know, when you just can’t put your finger on it, but you are 100% sure it sounds like something you’ve heard before?

I really hate to say all that about Jamie Foxx. He is as much as a talented singer, as he is a talented actor. He is an exceptional performer.

I saw his interview with Jimmy Fallon, where he said his daughter encouraged him to make music appropriate for his age. I honestly don’t think he took on his daughter’s advice to the full potential. Like I said, good music, some fun, some emotional, but it’s not what I expected from such a great man. He is better than this.

So, let’s talk about the tracks. The Dozen Roses sections we hear in three parts throughout the album are the most elegant and mature bits about the album, despite being short and display minimal lyrics. The lyrics that do appear though, do tell of a beautiful story. The sound is quite haunting as well as emotional.
Maturity and wisdom come with Hollywood, Vegas Confessions, In Love By Now and Jumping Out The Window. Each of these tracks are supposed to show a deeper and more emotional side to the album, two of which his vocals are accompanied by piano only. They can be very honest and fragile. I should also mention the unnecessary use of auto tune in Vegas Confessions. It should be offensive to someone who can actually sing.
I like Ain’t My Fault, but it has hints of Can’t Be Friends from Trey Songz, and I love that song. I can’t help but think of it when Ain’t My Fault comes up. The included swear word (‘it ain’t my fucking fault’) is very unnecessary just like most of the swearing on the album. But putting that aside, I like the story here.
The struggle with age identity comes with tracks like Text Message, Right Now and Like A Drum. We need to leave lyrics like ‘smoking, fucking, kissing, licking, stroking and touching/beat it like a drum’ and ‘I want to be on you/L.O.L, smiley face, the Emoji with the tongue out,’ for the boys. Without reading into it, I feel Chris Brown could have made Right Now. Chris Brown does appear on the album though, in a track called You Changed Me, where we really see the difference between now and then. Brown’s lyrics are a little more open, whereas Foxx’s is a little more reserved. ‘Licking on your body/feeling on your booty’ are not a surprise from Brown.
Pharrell shares his talent on a track called Tease, which definitely sounds like it was blessed with the sounds of Pharrell and co. It’s funky. Prince was the one artist that came to mind when I heard this one. His influence on this track would have been great, too.
There is an adorable tribute to the Jackson 5 with Pretty Thing, and we hear from Fabulous again in On the Dot which tells us ‘you’re gonna miss me when I’m gone.’ Another Dose is another slow and smooth R&B track, which uses the metaphor of being high to explain being addicted to someone’s love. While, Socialite left me a little confused. Though a nice tune, it tells us how a woman is strong and independent, but she also happens to be beautiful. Like, is that not possible? Baby’s In Love has debuted from this album already and it features Kid Ink. I like it. It’s playful and fun, and can really get a crowd moving when performed live. But, it sounds like someone I’ve heard before.

In conclusions, I see Foxx as a man who is beyond calling women, ‘bitches’, and his boys, the N word. There is so much unnecessary swearing. It can take away from a good song. Though some songs are true to what his daughter’s advice was, some purely aren’t. He can still be cool, and give us a beautiful love song, or a powerful story about a heart break. Ultimately, I’m left a little disappointment and all that is left for me to do is appreciate it for what it is.

It really pains me, but I give Jamie Foxx’s Hollywood: A Story of A Dozen Roses, 3 out of 5. Too generous?