Chris Brown has never been content with being just an R&B singer. Furthermore, he has never been satisfied with reaching a certain demographic, and has played within the pop genre to continuously open new eyes and ears. With four albums already under his belt, Fortune acts as a compilation of all of his previous experiments. Seeing that is a mix of gold and platinum plaques, as well as a recent Grammy award, this recipe is one certain to please a variety of taste-buds.
His past aside, Fortune does start out on a considerably new foot. For those that have paid close attention to Chris Brown's career they know he can be a lot more aggressive in his personal life, than his ballads lead on. The introductory trio of tunes proves this point to a degree. “Turn Up the Music” offers a fast paced dance rhythm that leads into “Bassline” and it’s House grind. The latter also provides a slice of vulgarity that increases when “Till I Die” plays through. This Big Sean and Wiz Khalifa assisted tune is more hip hop than R&B, as its content is unapologetically braggadocios.
At this point the listener believing the album to be more pop than purpose is taken for a turn when “Mirage” kicks in. The conceptual track warns women invested in the surface only to slide over. Nas spits a sixteen about the same that will have many hitting rewind. “Don’t Judge Me” is equally memorable, and tells the tale of a couple caught up with the unimportant. Afterwards the baby-making-music begins. This seven song set is well crafted with bookends that stand out. “2012” opens it by wetting a woman’s whistle before the Mayan calendar runs dry. The Boi-1da built “Party Hard” closes it by setting up Chris with a sound he excels on.
Then there’s the acoustic accompanied dance song, “Don’t Wake Me Up.” It is prefaced with the spoken words: “Dearly beloved, if this love only exists in my dreams… don’t wake me up.” Subsequently a six string strums and sees Chris stretch into an increasingly synthetic instrumental. It’ll have you nodding your head and singing along in no time. “Trumpet Lights” keeps the tempo, but it’s not the artist’s deepest work on this outing.
The closing set is a mixed bag. “Free Run” is the breath of fresh air long time fans know Brown for; and “Remember My Name” contains those confidence inspiring lyrics many will enjoy mimicking. Otherwise, it’s filler for the die-hard fans. That said, the album is packed with good, easy, and great listening. With an array of sounds and singles in the making it’s definitely worth picking up; if not for yourself than for your better half. After all, they deserve a little buttering after the barrage of guttural flows you ask them to endure.
