R&B/Soul singer-songwriter Syleena Johnson released her fifth studio album, Chapter V: Underrated, on Sept. 27, 2011.
The title of the album speaks for itself. Although Johnson has the qualities of a great R&B singer, she is definitely overlooked in the music industry.
The album begins with a bold track called “Underrated.” Johnson lets everyone know that she may be underrated, but that won’t stop her from putting out quality music. “Some say she’s outdated, but they just want to hate her. They know she’s underrated.”
The songbird follows up with her lead single off the album, “A Boss.” Johnson is looking for a boss just like her: “He can get it, he can get it if he’s a boss just like me.” She states that it’s not easy to win her heart, and she’s not looking for anyone to pay her bills. All she wants is someone who knows how to love.
In “Fade Away,” a percussion-driven track, Johnson vows that she knows how to love and that her love will never fade away. She experiments with her vocal range on the chorus.
R&B songbird Tweet joins Johnson on “Angry Girl,” an acoustic-driven track where women express frustration toward men. That anger can spill over into their relationships with other women, making it harder to build trust and find love.
In “Like Thorns,” a piano-driven ballad, Johnson sings about growing tired of being in a relationship with a dude who is insecure, doing things like searching through her. Johnson becomes fed up with his immature antics and showed him to the door.
On a lighter note, singer Malone joins Johnson for a duet on “Little Things.” This heartfelt song paints the picture of real love. “Baby, it’s the little things you do that satisfies me,” she sings. Sometimes it’s the little things that people do that make others fall in love with them. The live instrumental really adds to the song.
Good things don’t last forever. In “My Shoes,” Johnson expresses her unhappiness with a guy. She asks him to put his foot in her shoes. “What would you do if the shoe was on the other foot, babe? / What if it’s me that walks all over you?” This song is definitely an anthem for the ladies.
Johnson calls out her critics on “Label Me.” The seasoned vocalist demands respect from those who like to mislabel. “If you’re gonna keep calling me out of my name, then you better come correct with how you labeling me.”
Johnson gets very bold on “Go Head,” which features female rapper Na’Tee. She calls out a man who thinks he’s a player and lets him know that he’s not going to play her. “You get the picture, I’m the prize, so you better recognize. If you not man enough to handle, then I suggest that you should go head, go head.”
Following the sassy track is “Bad Person.” In this song, Johnson slows down the tempo and focuses strictly on her amazing vocals. The vocal arrangement on this song is simply amazing.
The songstress heats things up in her sensual song, “The Champ.” She sings, “Mesmerized by my technique / I make him say, ‘Damn you the champ baby’ / My stroke is like a T.K.O. / Three-minute round, you come so slow. Hit him with the combo 1, 2, 3…” You could definitely make some babies to this song!
Johnson ends the album with the uplifting “Stone Wall.” She sings about the trials and tribulations that she’s faced in life. With faith as her weapon, she’s “standing like a stone wall.” The message behind this song is beautiful. It’s one of those songs that anyone can relate to.
Overall, Chapter V: Underrated is a solid R&B/soul album with powerful vocals and exceptional production.
