ARTIST: Mary J. Blige
TITLE: “Just Fine”
WEB DEBUT: Sept. 27, 2007
ONE-LISTEN VERDICT: The first single from Blige’s November album Growing Pains is a “Tricky” Stewart/Jazze Pha-produced throwback joint that combines the ebuillence of “When I Think Of You” with the keyboard line to Depeche Mode’s Gap-approved “Just Can’t Get Enough,” then buries a couple of percussive flourishes deep within. It’s another one of Blige’s “I’m happy with my life” songs, and her vocal performance is, in keeping with the song, pretty by-the-numbers cheerful–until the song’s absolutely wicked bridge, when she finally lets loose, which allows her to finally bust out beyond the track’s simple singsong melody. Bottom line: It may not be “Real Love,” but it’ll probably sound great during those last five minutes on the treadmill–and the lyrics seem to be tailor-made for supplying that last bit of workout inspiration.
WHERE TO FIND IT: Kevipod Music, who says “it’s hot.” Well, all right then!
Right on, on the Janet comparison, but to me it’s a whole lot more like “All for You.”
I wouldn’t want this to be her sound full-time, but I must say it was time for a changeup after the last record. “Be Without You” was a tour de force, but the followup singles were a bit lackluster, and the bonus cuts on her greatest-hits record made no impression on me at all.
i’m still bitter that “Baggage” and “Can’t Get Enough” from her last album weren’t issued as singles.