Trigga by Trey Songz
Trigga is the sixth studio album by American R&B recording artist Trey Songz. The album was released on July 1, 2014, by Songbook and Atlantic Records. Following the release of his fifth studio album Chapter V (2012), Songz made his acting debut in Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013). The same year Songz began work on his sixth studio album and enlisted a variety of producers including DJ Mustard, Soundz, Mike WiLL Made It and The Insomniaks amongst others. Songz also enlisted the a variety of guest appearances from artists including Nicki Minaj, Mila J, Ty Dolla $ign, Justin Bieber, and Juicy J. Upon release the albums was met with positive reviews from critics; whom praised Trigga's production, the album also fared commercially well debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album was supported by the singles "Na Na", "SmartPhones", "Foreign", "Change Your Mind" and "What's Best For You", along with the promotional single "Ordinary" featuring Jeezy. On February 15, 2014, Songz announced that his sixth studio album would be titled, Trigga and announced it would be released on June 30, 2014. In a May 2014, interview with Yahoo!, he spoke about the album, saying: "Trigga is you know, my sixth studio album. It's my every emotion at this point in my life, it's the good, the bad, the ugly, it's the beautiful, it's last night, It's love, it's hard-hitting beats, but beautiful keys. It's beautiful melodies, it's so personal to me as well, of course I have songs that are impersonal, that are fun records, that just want to get people to move and dance, but as you get to the depths and the layers of the album, it gives you an insight to my life at the person that I am - and what's going on in my life as I try to figure out growing into manhood, and taking on the responsibility that I do and trying to find love…"
Trey Songz gets straight to letting you know what's on his mind in the opening moments of <i>Ready</i>. "This right here's a baby maker," he croons, "and we'll be making babies tonight." That he titles the song "Panty Droppa (Intro)" feels almost redundant, what with the nighttime mood created by his silky tenor and the sensuality exuded by the exquisitely supple groove. Songz takes every opportunity to flex his seductive powers on his third album, his first to go Platinum and the one the artist considered to be self-defining. Working again with his Songbook label boss, Troy Taylor, and producers such as Stargate and Bryan-Michael Cox, Songz was determined to show off his creative growth, expand his audience and establish his preeminence among contemporary R&B singers. His smooth delivery and air of effortlessness demonstrate just how much the Virginia-born performer had matured since he first emerged in 2004. In place of the brasher sensibility of his younger self comes a new finesse, even if the lyrics in the buttery likes of "Ready to Make Luv" share the decidedly sexual nature of his 2005 breakout, "Gotta Go". Songz' lusty ways may actually reach a new intensity on "Neighbors Know My Name", in which he provides a partner with step-by-step guidance on how to maximise her experience, and "I Invented Sex", a slinky midtempo track, features additional love tips from Drake. On his team-ups with Gucci Mane and Soulja Boy Tell 'Em on "LOL :-)" and Fabolous on "Say Aah", Songz again proves how deftly he can ride the line between hip-hop banger and R&B slow jam. But <i>Ready</i> demonstrates his eagerness to push himself, too. With its soft layers of vocal harmonies and acoustic guitar, "I Need a Girl" sees Songz find a sweet spot in Quiet-Storm soul. More startling are the shades of '60s Stax/Volt balladry and psychedelic pop on "Black Roses", a collaboration with producer Bei Maejor. And when Songz bares a more sensitive side in "Love Lost"—a throwback to '90s R&B at its most endearing—he demonstrates a newfound ability to capture listeners' hearts, even if leaving their bodies rocked remains a high priority.
