The Hip Hop Chronicle UK

Janet Jackson’s ‘Discipline’  

Don’t Call It A Comeback 

Janet Jackson returns with her 10^th studio album and first to be released under Island Def Jam. 

After a clever futuristic intro, we have the 1^st single off the album, the energetic ‘Feedback’. It has a catchy hook and is perfect for Janet’s vocals. This high-tempo dance theme runs through the first half of the album.

While relying on Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins for the dance tracks, Janet looks to Ne-Yo and ‘The Dream’ for the smooth ballads.  A promising track is Cant B Good’. It’s fantastically produced; Janet is at her most vulnerable on this track. It’s a welcome break from the dance-cuts.  

Luv’ sounds like it was made for Ciara. 

One of my favourite songs on this album is ‘Rock With U’. With its disco sound, it has a playful vibe. It’s an indirect ode to her brother Michael, who had same title for his smash on his ‘Off The Wall’ album.  There are some real gems on ‘Discipline’ but its spoiled by S&M inspired lyrics and some incestuous tendencies displayed on the title track ‘Discipline’.  

Her choice to focus on her sexuality (‘blow my amplifier’) doesn’t work. She’s a 41 year-old singing about adding men to her Sidekick phone. At times she lacks creativity saying her ‘swag is heavy like a first day period’. Say what????

The album is far too long (22 tracks) and although Janet assembled a great team of writers and producers (Jermaine Dupri, Def Jam CEO L.A. Reid and Rodney Jerkins), ‘Discipline’ lacks that star quality.

‘Feedback’ Video below

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=YpQmCPzVvQ8]