REVIEW: USHER - COMING HOME

3.5/5

Homecoming King.

Usher is about to touchdown like Taylor in Tokyo for this weekend's Superbowl Halftime Show, with Travis watching. But first he had a bombshell to drop with NFL legend Shannon Sharpe, whose show is the new place to go if you want to quarterback some controversy. Diddy. Pharrell. Jay-Z. Usher was on the phone with this big-three like Miami, trying to Voltron form a supergroup for the ages. Now, how epic would have that been? Almost as epic as the Hail Mary he's going to throw this weekend with the likes of 'Boo' Alicia Keys, fellow former child-star turned superstar singer Justin Bieber and Lil Jon (YEAH!) amongst others set to perform with the rightful king of R&B ushering in the best collaboration since Bruno brought out the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Our money's also on Jungkook of BTS. His smash single 'Standing Next To You' is remixed for a beautiful bonus on Usher Raymond's new album 'Coming Home'. The perfect precursor to this weekend's festivities.

It's almost been a decade since the '8701' legend's, who can recreate 'My Way' like it was yesterday, last album was 'Hard II Love'. In that time we've met some seriously good singles, like 'Good Kisser' and 'Don't Waste My Time' that over time have sadly now met the cutting room floor. We're still waiting on more of his 'Confessions' too with super producer Jermaine Dupri for one seriously sought after sequel on the 20th anniversary of a diamond album that did a million and change in one week (that never happens now, unless you're Adele).. Although we did get the 'A' of a Zaytoven collabo album a few years back that snapped. Now for Atlanta, and something else as he eats, the Raymond that everybody loves is holding a peach behind his back to tease his new muscled up album. There are strong singles like the Summer Walker and 21 Savage assisted 'Good Good'. And the lyrical play on themes for the devoted 'Ruin', or the long goodbye with intermissions of the latest 'Kissing Strangers'. If that wasn't enough to whet your appetite, the "peace up, A-town down" singer also drops a crazy sample Nicki Minaj would be proud of in the 'Uptown Girl' riffing 'A-Town' girl with Latto. Genius loves interpolating company.

But super size me this. If you've ever wondered what Usher orders when he's shown his seat in McDonald's (they don't do that?), worry no more. As the Tom Hanks hero shouting out 'Big' answers all that with a play on words. Spoiler alert, it's not a small, and those sandwiches he's talking about might require a few more napkins when he's finished at the table. Tongue in cheek aside, Usher runs for yards on his new album that is about to set up a showstopper. His first album in eight years is his ninth wonder like the producer and his best since he played versus with himself...because face it, few others could go toe-to-toe. Ain't that right Trousersnake? Burna Boy features on the opening album title-track that sings, "Just put me on the right road/Make I run like Usain Bolt/Feel like I'm not even close, ooh,/I'm lost (Ooh-ooh)/Lost in the world (Ooh-ooh)/Like I been searchin', searchin' 'til the kingdom come (Ooh-ooh)". Whilst The-Dream makes a 'Cold Blooded' appearance like Pheelz ('Ruin)'. But standing next to 'Standing Next To You', 'Risk It All' from the soundtrack to 'The Color Purple' with star H.E.R. bolsters this project with even more to help it reign for the one-time prince of this ish. 

'I Am The Party', Usher declares, however when he goes at it alone with choice cuts like 'Luckiest Man' and the penultimate 'One Of Them Ones'. 'Margiela', 'Bop', 'Stone Kold Freak', there's enough new bangers to turn this halftime show into a full concert before Usher Raymond brings out his classics (and how they remind you), let alone the special guests. But on tracks like 'I Love U' ("Why you lookin' so surprised?/Girl, you know you got me/See it in my eyes/How could you doubt me?/It's only in your mind, it's more than a night thing/And you got me high/Catch me, I'm falling") and 'Please U' he knows how to bring the albums back in this Spotify streaming age that snaps quicker than a smartphone chat. Nothing is just 'On The Side' in this 'Room In A Room', like the legend and ATL icon like his symbol chain says as he 'Keep(s) On Dancin'', "I admit breaking up is easier than commitment/But I don't want that for us/Our love is strong enough to never have an ending." Dearly devoted, you ain't seen nothing yet. The party is only getting started. Just wait until the weekend. Here comes the boom of the A-town stomp. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Good Good (Feat. Summer Walker & 21 Savage)', 'A-Town Girl (Feat. Latto)', 'Big'.