The masterful performance that Usher delivered last Sunday had the merit of shutting down all those who were wondering about his presence at the Super Bowl halftime show: without artifice or pre-recorded vocal tape, the R&B veteran American has demonstrated that he is the most talented and versatile entertainer of his generation. THE timing could not be better chosen to make a return to disk: Coming Homeninth studio album, alternates as before between romantic ballads (endearing Kissing Strangersintimate Bop), ingenious pop (amazing title song in duet with Burna Boy, A-Town Girl and his sample of Billy Joel’s success) and the grooves festive (BIGthe sparkling funk I Love U), his crystal clear voice showing no signs of fatigue. Surrounded by old accomplices (Jermaine Dupri, The-Dream, Pharrell Williams) and new friends (HER, the Nigerian composer Pheelz), Usher offers an album familiar in its references, but just modern enough not to sink into nostalgia.
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