The Bottom Line
Chris Brown makes countless young fans swoon, but, until now, he has not yet released a top-notch romantic performance. "With You" is that performance. The lyrics may be a bit simplistic in the "you're everything, you make me swoon" style, but this sound is a great one for staring into your lover's eyes as you make your way across a darkened dance floor. This is the first great wedding/prom song of 2008.
Pros
- Instant warmth of the guitar-based arrangement
- Chris Brown's best romantic vocal performance yet
- Perfect slow dance option
Cons
- Simplistic swoony lyrics
Description
- Kicks off with strumming guitar
- Chris Brown pours out his heart with romantic passion
- Perfect slow dance beat
Guide Review - Chris Brown - With You
After Chris Brown topped the pop charts with his dance floor filling debut "Run It," he followed it with the downbeat romantic ballad "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)." The song carried Brown's natural teenage charm, but it failed to excite pop fans across the board and ultimately slowed his progress as a top pop artist. Following a second uptempo smash "Kiss Kiss," the new single "With You" is much more likely to maintain momentum and appeal to many music fans outside Chris Brown's young, urban fan base.
Strong credit goes to the production/songwriting team Stargate who put together an instrumental track based around strumming guitar similar to their phenomenal success with Beyonce's "Irreplaceable." Chris Brown's singing voice is not, by any means, the strongest in the business, but the arrangement lets his romantic persona soar to its best advantage.
"With You" helps prove that Chris Brown is not only an amazingly talented dancer, he can truly communicate to an audience vocally as well. Look for this song as a key choice at romantic events throughout 2008 and beyond.
Released by Jive Records December, 2007.
Reviewed January, 2008.
