| Better | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | February 26, 2016 | |||
| Genre | R&B [1] | |||
| Length | 49:15 | |||
| Label | Brian McKnight Music | |||
| Producer | Brian McKnight (also exec.) | |||
| Brian McKnight chronology | ||||
| ||||
Better is the fourteenth studio album by American singer Brian McKnight. It was released on February 26, 2016, on his own label, Brian McKnight Music. [2] The album features the singles "Uh Oh Feeling" and "Better". [3]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |    [1] |
| SoulTracks | favorable [4] |
In his review for Allmusic, editor Andy Kellman wrote that "Better is filled with lively songs that are well crafted but don't seem the least bit fussed over. McKnight sounds like he's having as much fun as ever, gleefully flitting from falsetto disco-funk jams to lonesome, modern country-flavored ballads." [1] In his review for SoulTracks, Justin Kantor wrote: "Stylistically, Better demonstrates that McKnight is able to absorb a variety of influences and still sound comfortable (for the most part) within contexts outside of romantic slow-jams or funky-jazzy midtempos. Yet during that process, he sometimes loses his knack for what he does best while trying to prove his versatility. Thus, Better is, indeed, a subjective title choice for a set that surely surpasses 2013’s More Than Words in quality, but doesn’t come anywhere close to the merit of 1995’s I Remember You or 2006’s Ten ." [4]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Strut" | 4:28 |
| 2. | "Just Enough" | 3:49 |
| 3. | "Can't Take It" | 4:52 |
| 4. | "Better" | 3:41 |
| 5. | "Uh Oh Feeling" | 3:41 |
| 6. | "Like I Do" | 3:30 |
| 7. | "Lovin You from a Distance" | 4:18 |
| 8. | "Goodbye" (featuring Kimie Miner) | 4:23 |
| 9. | "Get You into My Life" (featuring Glasses Malone) | 4:15 |
| 10. | "Enough" | 3:28 |
| 11. | "Key 2 My Heart" (featuring Sixx John) | 4:42 |
| 12. | "Just Waiting" | 4:09 |
| Chart (2016) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Independent Albums (Billboard) [6] | 19 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [7] | 23 |
Brian Kelly McKnight is an American singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, radio host, and multi-instrumentalist. He is most recognized for his strong head voice, high belting range, and melisma.
Gemini is the eighth studio album by American singer Brian McKnight. It was released by Motown Records on February 8, 2005 in the United States. The album's title is a reference to the singer's astrological sign, Gemini. Upon release, Gemini received mixed reviews from music critics. However, the album debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 album chart, becoming McKnight's highest-charting album to date. Gemini was preceded by two singles: "Everytime You Go Away" and "What We Do Here". Both songs charted in the Top 40 of Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, with the latter staying there for two weeks. Gemini marked McKnight's last album on Motown Records.
Back at One is the fifth studio album by American singer Brian McKnight, released on September 21, 1999, by Motown Records. The album followed the same pattern as McKnight's previous album of original material, Anytime (1997), in which he began his transition from urban adult contemporary into the hip hop soul market. Back at One contains a mix of hip hop-influenced contemporary R&B songs, as well as a variety of ballads. While McKnight co-wrote and produced nearly every song on the album, he also worked with a few new producers, including Rodney Jerkins, his brother Fred Jerkins III, and Anthony Nance.
"Bump n' Grind" is a song written, produced, and performed by American singer-songwriter R. Kelly. It was released on January 28, 1994, as the second single from his debut solo studio album, 12 Play (1993). The track became a number one single on the US Billboard Hot 100, and it also spent twelve weeks at number one on the US Hot R&B Songs chart as Kelly's third number-one R&B hit, becoming the longest-running number-one of 1994 in the US, and the longest-running R&B single at that time. The song also reached number eight on the UK Singles Chart, following the massive success of his previous single, "She's Got That Vibe".
Ten is the ninth studio album by American singer Brian McKnight. It was released on December 5, 2006, on Warner Bros. Records, his first and only album for the label after his departure from Motown following the release of his previous album Gemini (2005). The album features a guest appearance from Rascal Flatts. Knight who wrote and produced most of the material on Ten himself, also worked with singer Jill Scott as well as production duo Tim & Bob, Bryan-Michael Cox, and Kendrick "WyldCard" Dean on the album.
I Remember You is the second studio album by American singer Brian McKnight. It was released by Mercury Records on August 8, 1995, in the United States. McKnight collaborated with Robin Thicke, Brandon Barnes, Clifton Davis, and Earl Rose on the songwriting for the album, while production was overseen by himself. Upon its release, the album received a mixed reception and entered the top five on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It was eventually certified gold by Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on October 10, 1995, and spawned the singles "Crazy Love," a Van Morrison cover, "On the Down Low" and "Still in Love."
Superhero is the sixth album by American singer Brian McKnight. It was first released by Motown Records on August 28, 2001 in the United States. McKnight recorded this album to showcase his many musical influences and give listeners a glimpse into the past year of his life. Superhero mixes McKnight's usual contemporary R&B style with a touch of rock and roll and rap music. McKnight worked with a variety of producers on the album, including Battlecat, Bill Meyers, Anthony Nance, Steve Thompson, and Lavel "City Spud" Webb. Featured guest vocalists were Justin Timberlake, Nate Dogg, Fred Hammond, and hip hop group St. Lunatics.
U-Turn is the seventh studio album by American singer Brian McKnight. It was released on March 25, 2003 in the United States by Motown Records. The album takes much inspiration in McKnight's split from his wife Julie from whom he divorced the same year. While McKnight again provided the majority of the album, he also consulted musicians Anthony "Joint Custody" Nance, Rockwilder, and production duo The Underdogs to work with him. As with previous album Superhero (2001), he also enlisted several high-profile guest vocalists, including singers Carl Thomas, Joe, and Tank as well as rappers Nelly and Fabolous.
The discography of Brian McKnight, an R&B singer, consists of 15 studio albums, six compilation albums, more than 40 singles, and 19 music videos. McKnight has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide.
"Mama Do " is the debut single by English singer and songwriter Pixie Lott released as the lead single from her debut studio album, Turn It Up (2009). Written and produced by Mads Hauge and Phil Thornalley, the song was released digitally in the United Kingdom on 6 June 2009 and physically on CD 8 June 2009. It debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart. Aged 18, Lott was one of the youngest singers to have a UK number-one single since Britney Spears in 1999. "Mama Do " received positive reviews from music critics.
"Carry Out" is a song recorded by American producer and rapper Timbaland for his third studio album Shock Value II (2009). The song features guest vocals from longtime collaborator, American recording artist Justin Timberlake. Timbaland and Timberlake co-wrote the song with Timothy "Attitude" Clayton, Jim Beanz and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon; with Harmon co-producing the song with Timbaland. Mosley Music Group, together with Blackground and Interscope Records, serviced the song to contemporary hit radio on December 1, 2009, in the United States, as the third single from Shock Value II.
I'll Be Home for Christmas is the tenth studio album and second Christmas album by American singer Brian McKnight. It was released on October 7, 2008 through Razor & Tie.
I Learned the Hard Way is the fourth studio album by American soul and funk band Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, released April 6, 2010 on Daptone Records. Production for the album took place at the label's House of Soul Studios during 2009 to 2010 and was handled by Daptone co-founder Gabriel Roth, credited for the album as "Bosco Mann". The album debuted at number 15 on the US Billboard 200, selling 23,000 copies in its first week. Upon its release, I Learned the Hard Way received generally positive reviews from most music critics.
Just Me is the twelfth studio album by American singer Brian McKnight. It was released by E1 Music on July 12, 2011 in the United States. It includes the singles "Fall 5.0" and "Temptation," the latter of which features McKnight's son Brian McKnight Jr. Additionally, a deluxe edition was released exclusively through Walmart and featured a live CD/DVD set.
The 20/20 Experience is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake. It was released on March 15, 2013, by RCA Records, as the follow-up to his second studio album FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006). It is considered the first half of a two-piece project, later being supplemented by his fourth studio album The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2 (2013). The album incorporates neo soul styles with elements of older soul music; its lyrics discuss themes of romance and sex. Production is handled by Timbaland, Timberlake, who also serves as the album's executive producer, and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, with Rob Knox contributing to the album's deluxe edition.
More Than Words is the thirteenth studio album by American singer Brian McKnight. It was released by E1 Music on March 19, 2013 in the United States. Entirely produced by McKnight himself, the album features contribution from singer Colbie Caillat as well as his two sons Niko and Brian McKnight Jr. More Than Words debuted and peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 7,000 copies in its first week. As of August 2016, it has sold 26,000 copies in the US. The album features the singles "Sweeter" and "4th of July."
Made In the A.M. is the fifth studio album by English-Irish boy band One Direction, released on 13 November 2015, by Columbia Records and Syco Music. This album is also the group's first album following the departure of Zayn Malik, who left the group on 25 March 2015, and the group's last album before they entered their indefinite hiatus in January 2016. The album was preceded by the three singles "Drag Me Down", released on 31 July 2015; "Perfect", released on 16 October 2015 and "History", released on 6 November 2015. These three singles reached the top 10 in a number of national charts.
Purpose is the fourth studio album by Canadian singer Justin Bieber. It was released through Def Jam Recordings and School Boy Records on November 13, 2015, as a follow-up to his third studio album Believe (2012). The album features guest appearances from Big Sean, Travis Scott, Halsey, Skrillex, Diplo, and Ariana Grande. The deluxe version was released simultaneously on the same day. It features an extra guest appearance from Nas. Production was handled by Bieber himself, Skrillex and Diplo from Jack Ü, BloodPop, Benny Blanco, the Audibles, Soundz, Mike Dean, Ian Kirkpatrick, and Andre Harris, among others.
"Genesis" is the fifteenth studio album by American singer Brian McKnight. It was released by the SoNo Recording Group on August 25, 2017 in the United States. Primarily produced by Tim Kelley, it features the singles "I Want U" and "10 Million Stars" in addition to "Everything" and "Forever" which were first released on his previous release, the live album An Evening with Brian McKnight (2016). Genesis debuted at number 15 on the US Billboard Independent Albums, while reaching number 73 on Top Album Sales chart.
Exodus is the sixteenth studio album by American singer Brian McKnight. It was released by The SoNo Recording Group on June 26, 2020 in the United States. According to McKnight, the album will mark his final project release of all original material. The singer worked with Earl Cohen, Tim Kelley, Chris Paultre, and Claude Villani on Exodus which was preceded by the singles "42 ", "When I'm Gone", and "Neva Get Enuf of U." The album debuted and peaked at number 86 on the US Billboard Current Album Sales.
