“Discipline” – Janet Jackson

Rating: 7/10

Despite corny introduction songs and random filler throughout, Janet Jackson’s newest effort, “Discipline,” should be considered one of her finest.

It has been a handful of years since Janet’s infamous Super Bowl incident, and despite poor record sales since, it appears she is back to reassert her dominance.

However, she does so in a way that is at best slightly awkward. Her automated introduction song and various skits are beyond awful. She talks to her computer like it is her best friend; she plays truth or dare and also mentions something about feet. It is a strange way to help pace an album.

But the best parts of this album are at the beginning and the end. “Feedback” pulses with a beat that could get bodies to move from hundreds of feet away, and single “Rock With U” has a thick, layered sound that drives the song from mediocre to fantastic.

The standout tracks have phenomenal background music with lots of effect work that makes them more unique. However, the difference between the “killer” and the “filler” is very apparent. These tracks sound like they were hardly arranged or just were not nurtured as well.

The prevalent theme to “Discipline” is a dirty one. The beginning and the end of this album are filled with aggressive tracks that feature Janet letting her animal instincts drive her voice.

However, at the midpoint of the album, she slows it down with a few ballads. Not only are they prime examples of poor grammar (“Cant B Good,” “Never Letchu Go”), but they are also prime examples of how a dominant female can lose her audience when she becomes passive. It leaves the listener wondering which Janet is going to show up on the next song.

Let Janet Jackson’s new album be the soundtrack to your next identity crisis.