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 I, just like many others, first noticed Mya in her "All about me" video. I was pretty much hooked by that point. You'll probably notice I'm a little beset by how gorgeous this lady is. Young Brother's like me dig women like Mya, simple as that. As usual, Mya's allure and soft voice win me over. This close feeling I've always had for Mya is the equivalent of my adoration for Aaliyah. Their music connects so well, as was the case with maybe my favorite song on Moodring, "Why you gotta look so good" featuring G Unit's finest. The beat is just nuts and the meaning of this song was taboo until Mya (I would think so). The way this song comes together is just so perfect. Someone else could just as easily say "Fallen" is the best song on the album. "Passin me by" by Pharcyde was one of my favorite songs growing up, and being a true Hip Hopper, I don't get all tight about Soul singers like Mya flipping these beats and connecting even more. She shows such chemistry now. Someone could just as easily say "No Sleep" is the best song on Moodring too. I swear Mya speaks my language to a T, not only the words but the approach. She's just trully my ideal woman, and songs like "No Sleep", Her banger "My Love is like Wo", "Hurry Up" with a beat and feature courtesy of Desert Storm, "Taste this", "Sophisticated Lady", god just a plethora of songs, solidify my connection to Mya. Mya's trully matured vocally and her style is so down to earth. She's able to get down with Desert Storm & Lloyd Banks, make your heart hurt from lust with songs like "No Sleep" & not sound cliche working with a hot at the moment Sean Paul. There are many other moments on this CD that stand out, you'll just have to find out, I'm only writing this to express my infatuation for the long lasting Mya. Aaliyah was the original. We consider Mary J Blige the Queen of this style and Aaliyah the Princess. The wholesome looks and style Aaliyah brought so early into this approach still exists. Many people try to duplicate it. I personally don't think it works. They don't have the natural attitude, they don't have that connection to the streets, and they're missing those very important Timbo beats. Mya's been around for a grip, and is pretty much a fixture to me. She started out needlessly featuring Sisco and Silk on her first two singles, to showing her lasting power on "No Sleep" and "Fallen". It's not Aaliyah revisited (sort of like the million + R Kelly wannabes), it's Mya, who's created her own following. I remember watching that Fanatic show on MTV a few years ago. Mya was the subject of Fanatic one episode and the guy practically read her poetry, I felt so bad for him haha. I would of took a much different approach, because obviously I think I have some strong connection to Mya. :) Beyonce is probably the hottest R&B/Hip Hop singer out right now, and Ashanti has a strong case. Both are very gorgeous ladies, and make good music, but I could tell you what seperates Mya from them. Beyonce was the Indie Woman a few years ago, now songs like "Nasty Girl" are sort of a 180. That's not to say Beyonce didn't pull this new tone off lovely. Ashanti went from singing hooks and featuring with the constantly annoying Ja Rule, to releasing yet another sunshiny single sprinkled with the word "Baby" over and over again. That's not to say Ashanti isn't a good writer/singer. Mya started with "All about me" and in 2003 reminds all of us observant 16-25 year old black males that she's still "Like Wo", and is the unsung Princess of this Soulful/Sexy/Enigmic approach. She's come around so well and the vintage swagger, deeply beautiful voice and personality, along with the BEATS, bring everything together. She's a natural and she'll naturally keep people like myself interested. This is quite like the natural connection Aaliyah had with us all. In my opinion, Mya has reached that level of comfort. Moodring is another solid effort by the alluring and everlasting Mya. I only see Mya getting bigger.
MY LOVE IS LIKE...WO- Produced by Missy, this first midtempo released track is not a standout at all. It is like some other songs that I have heard before but the song does grow on the listener especially after moderately heavy rotation on video and radio outlets. B+ FALLEN- Current 2nd single, the song is one of those breezy but steadily flowing songs that is what pop music of the late 90s was about. However, this is not bubblegum pop and fits well into the current musical scene. Mya's light and playful vocals give this song an added plus. Add to that that the song is not sexual and it is one of the better tracks. There is a nice break toward the end. A WHY yOU GOTTA LOOK SO GOOD?- Produced by Mya and Rockwilder, this song is nothing special. It has a terrible message but it is one I guess that needs to be put across because people do go thru this but I dont wanna hear it. Her cursing makes it seem like she is trying to gain street credibility. The beats are nice but the message and Mya's use of profanity are definitely out of character. B- STEP- Produced by Missy and Timbaland, one would expect the usual innovation from this duo but it is not here. This is a song I have also heard before in some other forms. In fact, it is reminiscent of some of the songs from Mya's sophomore effort. The song is overproduced and rather corny in some of the arrangements. B SOPHISTACATED LADY- Remake of COLD BLOODED from the 70s, this song fits Mya's personality and is one of the better of the first five songs. The production is not outdated but fits in well with the modern times. Mya's light vocals also fit the song well. I can see this in a movie definitely. B+ NO SLEEP TONIGHT- Here she goes again talking about sex. Musically, it is a decent song but the message is not one that I wanna hera. It is a midtempo that sounds like some filler and is very unoriginal. B ANATOMY 10N1- If it werent for the very perverse message of this song, this would be one of the best tracks. However, I dont wanna hear "This is what it tastes like. This is what it looks like." I might as well look at some pornography to hear all of this. The arrangements are spectacular with the vocals mixing with the beats well. Mya's innocence allows the song to get its message across that she is learning some things. Produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis who have produced joints by Patti LaBelle, Janet Jackson and others. B+ HURRY UP- Here she goes again cursing on this futuristic like song. Of the uptempos, it is decent but the message and the cursing does nothing for the song. It reminds me of something Pink would do had she remained in the R&B/Hip-Hop field. B- THINGS COME & GO- The ubiquitous Sean Paul makes an appearance here on this Reggae song which is not as beat heavy as some of the recent Reggae songs. It definitely gives another side of Reggae with a sense of innocence provided. Add in Mya's vocals and presence and the song sounds like a hit for Disney or even radio in general. There is a nice break in the song. A+ yOU- Only official ballad on the CD. The song starts off kinda weak but builds up substantially. Mya handles this song surprisingly well showing another side of her vocal abilities- she has more range and power than I initially thought. This could be one of those power modern ballads and could be a potential single. Watch for the end which has a nice break. A+ AFTER THE RAIN- A very sad song about losing a friend and could be applied to any lost loved and treasured one. It contains elements from an old soul hit, LET ME MAKE LOVE TO yOU by Lamont Dozier. Mya also has some strong vocals and there is a good bridge. A LATE- Creative innovative track about being late and the possibility of being pregnant by a no-gooder. The song is definitely something that happens alot in society so it works well. One of a kind and produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. A- WHATEVER BIT*H- Fun, cheerleading reminiscent song. I didnt know Mya had something like this in her. The song is very fun and playful. The valley girl elements of "Whatever" are here. The beats are tight and spectacular with a good drumn break. The only problem is the use of the b word but otherwise it is a fun song and could go some places- where I dont know. CD is worth getting for this song. Produced by Damon Elliott (Dionne Warwick's son I think) A TASTE THIS- There are some good vocals and at the beginning she kinda sounds like Beyonce. There is a nice melody and this dark song is about the shoe being on the other foot. The violin inclusion is great. This is one of the better tracks. The cursing is unnecessary however. B+ TAKE A PICTURE- Written by Lady Marmalade mate, Pink and produced by Damon Elliott of WHATEVER B, this breezy, poppish song that deals with the flying by of time and our mortality is definitely refreshing to hear from a young singer who are mostly talking about love which is nothing wrong but that is all they sing about. This is real meaty. Has potential somewhere. A FREE FALLIN- Originally recorded by Tom Petty, this song produced by Damon Elliott and Mya works well with Mya's already breezy and innocent personality. The song is fun but has a good message about girls falling through the cracks. One of the best tracks. A REAL COMPARED TO WHAT?- Weird inclusion of the Pepsi song from the commercials. Mya has some great vocals here and rapper Common makes an apperance here. A On this CD, one can see that Mya has matured and improved vocally. Also, the creativity she was trying to get across on her sophomore effort was crimped by the sameness of the songs, this diverse CD which touches on many elements, POP, REGGAE, FUTURISTIC, R&B/SOUL and some Gospel touchers make the CD diverse and fun. The messages are not the run-of the mill type and the CD is just plainly fun. I havent felt this good about listening to a secular CD in a while. Others have been good but not this thoroughly good. Good job, Mya.
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I have liked Mya's vocals since 'Its all about me' & I think she is TRULY talented. However, that talent is not shown in this cd. On this cd it seemed like she was trying to show a harder/edgier side of her and I wasn't feeling it. Most of her songs contain obscenities and sexual lyrics. I love hard core rap so believe me I don't have virgin ears, but at the same time it just wasn't what I'm looking for on a Mya cd. The song 'Late'... WOW is she serious? Can she make one song w/some substance? One of the best songs on the cd is 'My love is like Whoa' b/c its a catchy radio-friendly song, but that song is average at best. The only other song I liked was the one from the Coca-Cola commercial w/ Common. My advice to Mya is go back & start over again.
Mya has come back again with a bang! Her lyrics and rythym definately show how much she's grown these past few years. I especially like the song "Whatever B****"!!!! This whole cd put a smile on my face. It is very enjoyable and i'd recommend it to anyone who likes nice pop/r&b beats and lyrics.
