The Rundown: Luke James, Luke James (Deluxe Version)
A track-by-track peek at the singer's debut.
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The Rundown: Luke James, Luke James - After crafting hits for pop icons like Chris Brown, Justin Bieber and Britney Spears and snagging a Grammy nod for his own single "I Want You," R&B tunesmith Luke James marks his official debut with the release of his self-titled LP. This deluxe version of his musical journey packs chilling ballads with ambitious R&B pop. Click on for the lowdown on LJ's new melodic gift. (Photo: Island Records, UMG)
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"Love XYZ" - Luke James's debut sets sail with a shimmering celebration of love. Staccato synth fingering bounces off stuttering 808s while the crooner's signature falsetto sings about falling in love. (Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images)
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"Dancing in the Dark" - With a tinge of '80s new wave, this face-the-wind cut is laced with atmospheric keyboard flow and a hazy rhythm as Mr. James's falsetto croons about loving his woman with the lights out. (Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images)
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"Don't Do It" - While this is merely an interlude — clocking in a little over a minute — it is one of the funkiest and ear-catching moments on the LP. Background harmonies groove along to a skillful beatbox while LJ rocks a swagged out vocal about kicking it to a lovely lady he'd seen on the block. (Photo: Mireya Acierto/Getty Images)
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"Trouble" - "Sitting here on the edge of the bed," Luke melodically chimes, "I rewinded all of your replies and what you said. Don't deny all of the lies — 'cause you misled." This sparsely arranged cut pushes Luke to chant the lyrics along to an airy rhythm. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/BET/Getty Images for BET)
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"The Run" - A popping synth bass holds this swaggalicious track together as Mr. James wraps his vocal around a catch-me-if-can message to a chick trying to holler at him. (Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for BET)
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"Glass Houses" - This cut, about a relationship falling apart, pulsates with dreamy synth chords and an otherworldly bass bounce. Luke packs the song with emotional instability as he sings: "You changed/What happened to my baby, 'cause she changed." (Photo: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images)
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"Exit Wounds" - Anchoring this track with his very able piano playing, Luke gives this track the emotional weight of a heavy ballad. "I slept on your side of the bed yesterday," he sings of his ex-love. "I don't understand why I can't forget you." Simply put: this is soft and tender. (Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images)
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"Time X" (Interlude) - Another interlude that offers so much more. Finger snaps accompany smooth harmonizing as LJ offers a muscular vocal on getting a woman to find love after being hurt. (Photo: BET)
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"Options" featuring Rick Ross - Soaring keyboards and machine gun bass drums are the platform Luke uses to melodically lament about the tension between him and his baby's mother. Rozay lyrically rides along to add the hip hop bravado.(Photos from left: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for BET, Christopher Polk/BET/Getty Images for BET)
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