After a couple albums with Shanachie, including a set of reggae duets with
Musiq,
Syleena Johnson moves to the eOne-affiliated Blakbyrd for her eighth studio album.
Chapter 6: Couples Therapy doesn't have the most appealing title, but it reflects what
Johnson has been through and covers a broader spectrum of emotions than indicated. At the dark end -- an area she has never shied away from exploring -- she is in particularly vivid form on "Perfectly Worthless," holding her head high in the wake of mistreatment. Opposite to that, there's "My Love," a blissful, traditionally styled ballad in which she uses her upper register to maximum effect. There are many moods between those two highlights, and they're all revealed with the same high level of conviction heard in
Johnson's previous output. All but one of the songs were made with either
Pierre Medor (
Mary J. Blige,
Monica) or the team of Kajun (
Avant,
Ronald Isley) and Andre Henry (
Isley,
Avery Sunshine). These songwriters and producers provide sufficient support for
Johnson, who had a hand in the creation of each song. Also credit
Johnson for going against the grain by not sharing the vocal booth with any rappers. Instead, the unmistakable voices of
Leela James and
Dave Hollister are each present on one cut. This is yet another pleasing, down-to-earth addition to one of the steadiest R&B discographies of the 2000s and 2010s. ~ Andy Kellman