Unbreakable received positive reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted mean rating out of 100 to reviews from music critics, the album received an average score of 75, which indicates "generally favorable reviews" based on 22 critics. [51] Jim Fusilli of The Wall Street Journal complimented Jackson's vocals, as well as her efforts to craft a contemporary but familiar sound to add to her diverse catalog. He notes that she and her primary producers, Jam and Lewis, "explore a satisfying range of musical styles plucked from across the span of pop history" including funk, electronic dance music and soul. [24] According to Jed Gottlieb of the Boston Herald , "[u]nlike her peers, Jackson doesn't fear slow-burn R&B. This kind of quiet storm soul shows up again and again, on the big ballad 'Well Traveled' and the lead single 'No Sleeep'." [26] Writing for Entertainment Weekly , Kyle Anderson called the album "her most sonically diverse set since 1997's quirky, hypersexual The Velvet Rope " adding that "the most thrilling aspect of Unbreakable is her willingness to experiment." [27] Jon Pareles of The New York Times commented that Jackson depicts a far more subdued persona in comparison to the explicit nature of her previous albums. He states that "[f]or most of 'Unbreakable,' she plays big sister—someone who's happily in love, willing to offer advice and wishing for a better world. It's a benign role but a modest one, reinforced by the music." [21] Newsday's Glenn Gamboa wrote that Unbreakable reflects her maturation, stating that after a tumultuous period in her career following the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy, "Jackson finally seems like herself again—actually an even wiser version of herself." [16]
In her review for USA Today , Elysa Gardner wrote: "The young woman intent on liberating herself and the world is still socially and spiritually conscious, but she has evolved into a more settled, reflective artist ... With Unbreakable, Jackson, already a proven survivor—of both her family's well-publicized struggles and decades of changing trends in pop music and culture—gives us no reason to doubt that people will keep watching, and listening." [60] Mikael Wood of Los Angeles Times wrote that the album is a collection of "grand-scaled but meticulously detailed songs" that include a mix of balladry, R&B, rock and EDM. [22] Wood comments that although "the music makes for delicious ear candy, Jackson isn't content to leave it at that. She also has messages to deliver[.]" [22] Writing for The Guardian , Alex Macpherson remarked: "Unbreakable’s highlights are low-key moments of reflection and nostalgia: the hypnotic sway of Promise, the languorous dread of Lessons Learned and After You Fall, a skeletal piano lullaby that seems composed for Jackson’s late brother Michael, and on which she once again demonstrates the emotional range of her voice." [61] Rebecca Haithcoat of Spin rated Unbreakable 8/10, stating that "it proves Janet can still surprise us. Who would've ever envisioned her slipping on a pair of boots and cowboy-cut Wranglers to sing 'Lessons Learned,' a country-tinged ballad about co-dependency? Or that she and the boys would've gone full Nashville and let a steel guitar cry and a little twang curl the edges of her voice on 'Well Traveled' (and that the whole thing would work!)?" [59] Andy Kellman of AllMusic gave the album 3.5/5 stars, complimenting Jackson's diversity of sound while referencing her own catalog and familial influences. He remarked: "No one but Jackson can directly reference previous triumphs, address her audience, and yet move forward quite like this." [52]
Publication | Country | Accolade | Year | Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|
Exclaim! [62] | Canada | Top 10 Soul and R&B Albums of 2015 | 2015 | 10 |
The Guardian [63] | United Kingdom | Best Albums of 2015 | 37 | |
Entertainment Weekly [64] | United States | The 40 Best Albums of 2015 | 11 | |
Slant Magazine [65] | The 25 Best Albums of 2015 | 13 | ||
Newsday [66] | Best albums of 2015 | 9 | ||
ABC News [67] | 50 Best Albums of 2015 | 49 | ||
Spin [68] | The 50 Best Albums of 2015 | 50 | ||
Pitchfork Media [69] | The 50 Best Albums of 2015 | 36 | ||
Rolling Stone [70] | 20 Best R&B Albums of 2015 | 8 | ||
People [71] | Best Albums 2015 | 8 | ||
About.com [72] | Top 20 Pop Albums of 2015 | 6 | ||
BET [73] | The Best R&B Albums of 2015 | * | ||
Los Angeles Times [74] | 2015's Must-hear Albums | * | ||
Cosmopolitan [75] | Top 15 Best Albums of 2015 | 6 |
Unbreakable debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart in the week ending October 8, 2015. [76] The album sold 116,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, which included streaming and individual digital song sales. Of that sum, the album sold 109,000 in pure sales. [76] This became Jackson's seventh number one album on that chart and also made her the third act to amass a number one album in each of the last four decades. The album also debuted at number one in the US Independent Albums Chart. [76] In its second week, the album dropped to number eight on the chart, earning an additional 30,000 units, which represented a drop of 74 percent in album sales. [77] Of that sum, 27,911 were in pure album sales. [78] As of April 28, 2016, the album has sold 384,000 copies in the United States. [79] [80] In Canada the album also debuted at number one, with sales of 4,300 units. [81] It became Jackson's second chart-topping album in Canada in the Soundscan era since All for You debuted atop the charts in 2001. [81]
In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number eleven on the UK Albums Chart, which represents her highest debut in that country since 2001 when All for You debuted at number two. [82] Her previous albums had missed the top 20 with Damita Jo peaking at number 32, and 20 Y.O. and Discipline both debuting at number 63. [82]
All tracks were written and produced by Janet Jackson, James Harris III, and Terry Lewis (the latter two being credited as Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for production roles).
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Unbreakable" |
|
| 3:38 |
2. | "Burnitup!" (featuring Missy Elliott) |
| 4:09 | |
3. | "Dammn Baby" |
|
| 3:55 |
4. | "The Great Forever" | 4:18 | ||
5. | "Shoulda Known Better" |
| 4:45 | |
6. | "After You Fall" | 4:48 | ||
7. | "Broken Hearts Heal" | 3:42 | ||
8. | "Night" |
|
| 4:14 |
9. | "No Sleeep" (featuring J. Cole) |
| 4:20 | |
10. | "Dream Maker / Euphoria" |
|
| 2:46 |
11. | "2 B Loved" |
|
| 2:55 |
12. | "Take Me Away" | 4:18 | ||
13. | "Promise" | 0:57 | ||
14. | "Lessons Learned" | 4:23 | ||
15. | "Black Eagle" | 3:17 | ||
16. | "Well Traveled" | 4:18 | ||
17. | "Gon' B Alright" |
|
| 3:54 |
Total length: | 64:37 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
18. | "No Sleeep" | 3:26 | ||
19. | "No Sleeep" (AFSHeeN Remix featuring J. Cole) |
| 2:59 | |
Total length: | 71:02 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
18. | "Promise of You" | 4:30 | ||
19. | "Love U 4 Life" |
|
| 2:42 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
20. | "No Sleeep (PKCZ Remix)" | 3:23 |
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Worldwide | October 2, 2015 |
| [83] | |
April 1, 2016 | Gatefold | [114] |
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreography became a catalyst in the growth of MTV, enabling her to rise to prominence while breaking gender and racial barriers in the process. Lyrical content which focused on social issues and lived experiences set her reputation as a role model for youth.
"Control" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her third studio album of the same name (1986). The song was written by Jackson, James Harris III and Terry Lewis, and produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. It was released as the album's fourth single on October 17, 1986, by A&M Records. Its arrangement, built upon complex rhythmic tracks, showcased state-of-the-art production. The song is about Jackson wanting to finally take control of her life.
Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 is the fourth studio album by American singer Janet Jackson, released on September 19, 1989, by A&M Records. Although label executives wanted material similar to her previous album, Control (1986), Jackson insisted on creating a concept album addressing social issues. Collaborating with songwriters and record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, she drew inspiration from various tragedies reported through news media, exploring racism, poverty, and substance abuse, in addition to themes of romance. Although its primary concept of a sociopolitical utopia was met with mixed reactions, its composition received critical acclaim. Jackson came to be considered a role model for youth because of her socially conscious lyrics.
Control is the third studio album by American singer Janet Jackson, released on February 4, 1986, by A&M Records. Her collaborations with the songwriters and record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis resulted in an unconventional sound: a fusion of rhythm and blues, rap vocals, funk, disco, and synthesized percussion that established Jackson, Jam and Lewis as the leading innovators of contemporary R&B. The distinctive triplet swing beat utilized on the record is also considered to be a precursor to the new jack swing genre. The album became Jackson's commercial breakthrough and enabled her to transition into the popular music market, with Control becoming one of the foremost albums of the 1980s and contemporary music.
Janet is the fifth studio album by American singer Janet Jackson. It was released on May 18, 1993, by Virgin Records America. Prior to its release, Jackson was at the center of a high-profile bidding war over her recording contract. In 1991, her original label A&M sought to renew her contract, while others, such as Atlantic, Capitol, and Virgin all vied to sign her. After meeting with Virgin owner Richard Branson, she signed with the label. The contract was worth an estimated $40 million, making her the world's then-highest paid musical act. Janet marks Jackson's second eponymous record after her debut studio album, Janet Jackson (1982).
Janet Jackson is the debut studio album by American singer Janet Jackson, released in September 1982 by A&M Records. Janet Jackson is described as a dance and contemporary R&B record. Songwriters Angela Winbush and René Moore contributed to much of the album's lyrics. Moore and Winbush share production credits with Foster Sylvers, Jerry Weaver, and Bobby Watson. On release Janet Jackson charted on the Billboard 200 and in New Zealand. Three singles from the album had little impact on Billboard Hot 100 charts, among them "Young Love", "Come Give Your Love to Me" and "Say You Do", though these singles achieved success on the R&B charts. Jackson performed "Young Love" and "Say You Do" on American TV shows American Bandstand and Soul Train in 1982. The cover artwork of Jackson's body submerged in water was based on a photo of Elizabeth Taylor. Worldwide, the album has sold 300,000 copies.
Design of a Decade: 1986–1996 is the first greatest hits album by American singer Janet Jackson. It was released on October 2, 1995, by A&M Records. The album was issued through A&M as Jackson's contract with Virgin Records allotted her the option to leave the label following the release of her fifth studio album Janet (1993). The compilation features 14 of Jackson's singles from her three previous albums—Control (1986), Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989), and Janet—as well as two new tracks, "Runaway" and "Twenty Foreplay". The release of the collection was accompanied by a same-titled home video release.
"Escapade" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her fourth studio album, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). It was written and produced by Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The song was released on January 8, 1990, by A&M Records as the third single from Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). "Escapade" became the third of the historic seven top-five singles released from the Rhythm Nation 1814 album, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.
"Again" is a song by American singer and songwriter Janet Jackson from her fifth album, Janet (1993). The song was also included as the closing song to the 1993 film Poetic Justice. Written and produced by Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the ballad was released as the album's third single on October 12, 1993, by Virgin Records, and talks about the reconnection with an old lover. Originally an experimental sound Jam and Lewis was considering for the album, they did not give the song serious contemplation until the film producers from Poetic Justice requested a ballad for the soundtrack.
"Any Time, Any Place" is a song by American singer-songwriter Janet Jackson from her fifth studio album, Janet (1993). It was written and produced by Jackson along with production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and released as the album's fifth single on May 11, 1994, by Virgin Records. A remix produced by R. Kelly was also released. "Any Time, Any Place" reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became another R&B chart-topper for Jackson. She has performed the song on several of her tours.
"Nasty" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her third studio album, Control (1986). It was released on April 15, 1986, by A&M Records as the album's second single. It is a funk number built with samples and a quirky timpani melody. The single peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and remains one of Jackson's signature songs. The line "My first name ain't baby, it's Janet – Miss Jackson if you're nasty" has been used in pop culture in various forms. According to musicologist Richard J Ripani, Ph. D, the single is one of the earliest examples of new jack swing music.
"Throb" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her fifth studio album, Janet (1993). It was written and produced by Jackson, James Harris III and Terry Lewis and is a house song with a nu jazz influence. It was released commercially in the Netherlands as the album's sixth single on June 18, 1994, while in the United States it was a radio-only release.
The Unbreakable World Tour was the seventh concert tour by American recording artist Janet Jackson. It was in support of her eleventh studio album Unbreakable (2015). In addition to Live Nation and Rhythm Nation, the tour is also sponsored by Nederlander Concerts, Jam Productions, Another Planet Entertainment, Bamp and Tommy Meharey. When the tour was announced in June 2015, multiple legs were planned for North America, Asia and Europe. However, in December 2015, Jackson announced that tour dates beginning in 2016 would be postponed due to surgery and in April 2016 announced the summer dates would be rescheduled due to her pregnancy. In May 2017, she announced the tour would resume beginning in September, renamed as the State of the World Tour.
"No Sleeep" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Janet Jackson for her eleventh studio album Unbreakable (2015). Co-written and produced by Jackson and her long-time collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, it is the first record to be released under Jackson's independent label Rhythm Nation Records, distributed by BMG Rights Management. It was made available as the lead single from the album digitally on June 22, 2015, in addition to vinyl copies being sold on Jackson's official website in conjunction with pre-sale orders for the studio album and Unbreakable World Tour concert tickets. Lyrically, the song depicts Jackson longing to reunite with her lover, anticipating that when she does, the couple will get "no sleep". Due to its slow tempo and sentimentality, it has been described as embodying traits of the quiet storm radio style.
"Burnitup!" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson featuring rapper Missy Elliott recorded for Jackson's eleventh studio album, Unbreakable (2015). It was written and produced by Jackson, Dem Jointz, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and Elliott. The song marked the fourth time Jackson and Elliott collaborated. "Burnitup!" was released as a promotional single from the album on September 25, 2015, while a digital promo single containing the album's version and a radio edit was released on October 5, 2015 by Rhythm Nation Records and BMG Rights Management.
"Dammn Baby" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Janet Jackson for her eleventh studio album Unbreakable (2015). It was co-written and produced by Jackson and her long-time collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, with additional songwriting and production contributions by Dem Jointz. The official music video was released on YouTube, on May 4, 2016. The single subsequently debuted on the US Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart at number 20 and later peaked at number eight, becoming the album's third consecutive top ten single on the chart, after "No Sleeep" and "Unbreakable".
"Unbreakable" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Janet Jackson for her eleventh studio album of the same name. It was co-written and produced by Jackson and her long-time collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, with additional writing by Thomas Lumpkins and additional production by Tommy McClendon and Dem Jointz. The song debuted on September 3, 2015 on Apple Music's Beats 1 radio station and was made available for digital download on the same day Jackson officially announced the studio album's release date and track list. It was subsequently released to urban contemporary radio on September 29, 2015 and to urban adult contemporary radio on October 5, 2015 as the album's second single.
The State of the World Tour was the eighth concert tour by American singer Janet Jackson. Launched in promotion of her eleventh studio album Unbreakable (2015), the tour is produced by Live Nation and is under the creative direction of Gil Duldulao. Announced in May 2017 as a 56-city North American trek visiting the United States and Canada, it is a continuation of the Unbreakable World Tour, which was postponed in 2016 due to Jackson's pregnancy. Tickets originally purchased for the Unbreakable World Tour were honored with new concert dates under the revamped State of the World Tour.
"Made for Now" is a song by American singer-songwriter Janet Jackson and Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Yankee. It was produced by English songwriter, musician and producer Harmony Samuels, with additional production contributions by Jackson's long-term collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis alongside Jackson. The song was made available for digital download on August 17, 2018, with a Dave Meyers-directed music video released simultaneously. The release marks the first for Jackson's new partnership with independent music publisher and distributor Cinq Music Group to distribute future releases her from her independent label Rhythm Nation Records.
The albums discography of American singer Janet Jackson consists of eleven studio albums, four compilation albums, and two remix albums. When she was fifteen, her father arranged a contract for her with A&M Records. Her debut album, Janet Jackson (1982), peaked at number 64 on the Billboard 200 chart and sold 250,000 copies in the United States. Her next album, Dream Street (1984), peaked at number 147 on the Billboard 200, a weaker effort than her previous album. Her third album, Control (1986), became known as her breakthrough album, topping the Billboard 200 and sold over 10 million copies worldwide. Her fourth album, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989), topped the Billboard 200 for four consecutive weeks and sold three million copies within the first four months of its release. The album went on to produce seven consecutive top 5 hits, four of them reaching the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in three separate calendar years, a record yet to be broken. The album was certified 6× Platinum by RIAA, and sold over 12 million copies worldwide.
In the U.S., it already has signed and released such albums as Janet Jackson's Unbreakable, which has scanned 253,000 in the U.S.
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