Mary J. Blige "My Life II:The Journey Continues (Act 1)"

   When an artist makes a classic album, that is saying something, but when they attempt to produce a sequel of that album, that is making a statement. At first, I thought this album was a little long-winded, and surprised me by how long it was; I thought it was longer. I think it was just a bad mood talking. Sequels are never easy for any medium, and this one does not disappoint (as a whole album). This is one of her strongest releases in the past decade, but that does not mean her last few albums were bad. NO! People will say it’s not the same Mary J, but how can you expect her to feel the same way she did over 17 years ago?                                           This “Intro” involves a phone conversation with Diddy (Formerly known as Puff), and also mentions the fact that “….it’s not that pain doesn’t exist anymore, we just know how to navigate.”  The first line she sings could be taken into context regarding her fans, or not; even though it is directed toward her husband, I’m sure. This is probably the best track to follow her proclamation in the first track, and this is how I “Feel Inside.” Not only the production, but Nas’ verses, and the conviction he reveals are tight. When a promise is made, you keep it, and if you say you’ll be there you should. It’s only a “Midnight Drive,” not like it’s two or something, while listening some funk guitar and subtle horns as an alter ego of Blige starts us off. Then she takes us to the “Next Level” with Busta Rhymes. I love his verses; ok, I think it would be awesome to meet him, but, he delivers his verses like a happy Tyler the Creator. I like the MJ inspired production Darkchild uses. “Ain’t Nobody” gonna be happy with me mentioning this, but when the pussycat dolls leave who’s gonna love you?  That can be interpreted in several different ways, but just how she delivers the lines; could just be a coincidence.                                                                                                                                         I “Don’t Mind” this sexy synth; the mood  that is set by it is more for getting freaky than for proclaiming everlasting love, but she makes it work. She may be in “No Condition” to love, but the opening vocalizing sounds like she is ready to work with Polow Da Pon, and the piano has been rained on with many tears. The music-box synth is a perfect accompaniment to what sounds like a lullaby sung by “Mr. Wrong,” but Drake sounds like he is the right guy to drop verses about relationships; he’s dealt with the good and bad. Rick Ross seems to have more confidence then he should, but I did appreciate his verses in this song. “Why” don’t I like him? I don’t hate him, but he can be really cocky, and sometimes his verses can be as bland as oatmeal. Mary J has had many features in this record so far, but this one is one of my favorites; I don’t know how to explain it, but maybe because it felt more like a duet, and that Beyonce assists Mary J in a lesson in how to “Love A Woman” with surefire tips to keep your lady happy. Just like you cannot really control who you love, it can be said that love is also “Irreversible,” but often is the damage caused by an unfaithful or abusive relationship. Lyrics documenting these “Empty Prayers” really draw me close to tears as they come to the climax; it makes you think. If you are a believer, and you feel like you prevented a miracle because that higher being was listening to you instead of others who were in dire need of it. The previous track, and this one “Need Someone” to find a great gospel choir to re-interpolate these songs, because they would sound fantastic! The final song off of the traditional album, featured on The Help OST, based on the book of the same name is “The Living Proof” that you can eventually overcome the pain you suffer, but so was the first record.  The first bonus track was not bad, but you can “Miss Me With That.” I loved the original version, which still sounds like a gospel song for the d*mned in the crossfires of love, but “Someone To Love Me (Naked)” also features Lil Wayne; the verses are my favorite part of the song. So all in all, this felt like a really consistent sequel, and you do not see many of those. She said in the opening intro that it was not a competitor, but an extension, and even if it wasn’t, it’s far from incomplete and able to stand on its own two “feet.”