The Rundown: The Dream, IV Play
A track-by-track review of the singer's new album.
1 / 15
The Rundown: The Dream, IV Play - The Dream has loved and lost, married and divorced, but still manages to not let any of it slow down his productivity. In fact he just incorporates the pain and turmoil into his music. He seemed to exercise whatever turbulence he was experiencing with any of his former wives on his 2010 LP Terius Nash: 1977. And haven gotten a few things off his chest, Dream sounds like he's getting back to the party for his latest LP IV Play. Check out this track-by-track review of the new album. (Photo: Def Jam)
2 / 15
"High Art," Feat. Jay-Z - The Dream has no problem letting the world know he's a party boy. And the opening track for this LP is an unabashed and booming celebration of that fact, with the singer-songwriter singing the chorus, "I get high with my n-----s, I make love to my girls" more than enough times for fans to get the picture. Jay-Z, who openly teased The Dream at the Grammys, joins in on the festive track to add the flow-filled narrative. Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
3 / 15
"IV Play" - The bridge vocals on this steamy cut may have been inspired by the late Michael Jackson. But the uncut, straight-forward theme of skipping the foreplay and heading straight for the s-e-x is all of R. Kelly's overwhelming influence on Dream's gift at masterfully crafting the crude. Just add a twist of lilting synth and ballad-ready 808s and he gives us the ultimate booty-call anthem. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/FilmMagic)
4 / 15
"Equestrian" - The equation to explain this song is simple. Equestrian means horse. The Dream is singing about spending a night with the woman of his dreams. Part of the chorus repeats the phrase, "I love the way you ride." So we know what this all equals. With its seductive drum track and soaring keyboard action, this is a club-banger for amour. (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)
5 / 15
"P-----," Feat. Pusha T and Big Sean - Big Sean and Pusha T were recruited to add spoken-word verbiage to Dream's bold and dance-able ode to the poonany. You don't have to listen closely to know where D has his right and left hands. He lets us know explicitly. (Photos from left: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images, John Ricard / BET, Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS)
ADVERTISEMENT
6 / 15
"Turnt," Beyonce and 2 Chainz - Beyoncé, whom The Dream crafted the mega-hit "Single Ladies" for, returns the favor, appearing on this surreal cut and playing the part of the a wild celebrity girlfriend. Dream, knowing the level of talent he's working with, practically lets Bey make the song her own with 2 Chainz jumping in to sprinkle some hip hop realness. (Photos from left: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Gucci, Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BET, Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
7 / 15
"Where Have You Been," Feat. Kelly Rowland - Over a fluttering piano accent and snare, The Dream duets with Kelly Rowland, crooning about raw and edgy love. He declares his overwhelming feelings for her — admitting he hasn't been the most reliable person — while she chews him out as she, too, announces her love for him. (Photos from left: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images, PictureGroup)
8 / 15
"Too Early" Feat. Gary Clark Jr. - The Dream explores the blues on "Too Early," which features swaying guitar licks by musician Gary Clark Jr. Dream, whose life mirrors that of a traditional bluesman, belts out his pain to what sounds like either of his ex-wives, Nivea or Christina Milian. (Photos from left: tephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Rolling Stone, Brad Barket/PictureGroup)
9 / 15
"Michael" - While the melody and chorus of this song sweetly pay homage to the King of Pop ("She got me singing like Michael"), the cut is really about Dream using his musical talents to get some tail. Whether Michael Jackson would sing this ditty's praises? We'll never know. But, given the humorous bluntness of the song, Mike may have chuckled to himself. (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)
10 / 15
"Loving You/Crazy" - On this bona fide dance track, Dream mixes his MJ and Prince influences, squeezing out a seductively up tempo floor banger where a woman is told she is loved over and over and over again. Enough said. (photo: John Ricard / BET).
ADVERTISEMENT
11 / 15
"New Orleans" - Haunting Scarface-inspired keyboard work and a creeping bass drum accompanies Dream's refection on how an addiction to a woman slowly overtook him. His constant use of the b-word could easily be dismissed as hackneyed, but as well crafted as this song is you will appreciate the honesty of the lyrics. (photo: John Ricard / BET)
12 / 15
"Self-Conscious" - Putting this tune toward the end of the LP is a clear sign its sound is uninspired. And when you the hear auto-tuned vocals, a booming, bouncy beat and The Dream's declaration that he wants love from his woman just confirms this point. Even though he's especially tender on this track doesn't erase the staleness of this cut. (Photo: JLN Photography/wenn)
13 / 15
"Holy Love" - For the towering second-half of this record The Dream enlists the beat from Queen's "We Will Rock You." At this point, it's clear he obviously understands how to craft sound for the pop landscape. Here he is, once again, gushing about the L-word but this time with an eye toward a rock feel, which Dream pulls off with out sounding cliche. (Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)
14 / 15
"Outro" - Apparently Dream felt like making his voice sound like a smoked-out demon and ranting about his critics. The skit goes for 23 seconds, so not much to say.... ( Photo by Brad Barket/PictureGroup)