“Future” encourages fans to hang onto their dreams. Musiq thanks a friend for shaping his character and teaching patience (“Time”). He seeks advice for being a more attentive and tender partner (“Bestfriend”), and values a woman’s long-term friendship over short-term romance (“Halfcrazy”). On “Solong,” a man declines a sexual invitation, considering how it would devastate his current union (“To lose a love that took years to build/To do that I must be crazy . . . I refuse to be the one/To let a moment ruin my life”). “Motherfather” honors parents. The artist claims Christ as Lord in the CD’s liner notes, and compares true love to spiritual joy on “Religious.” Other tracks esteem kindness (“Realove”) and assure a lady, “I’ll love you when your hair turns gray . . . if you gain a little weight” (“Dontchange”). On “Newness,” the singer tells a girl he likes, “I don’t drink or club” and asks to meet her parents, however . . .
He also puts stock in astrology (“I’m a Virgo so my sign’s compatible”). The word “d–n” mars “Halfcrazy” and “Previouscats.”
Kudos to Taalib “Musiq” Johnson for respecting himself, his parents and women in general. Juslisen goes against the grain of typical R&B. It’s not a perfect disc, but the majority of its 18 tracks are well worth a “lisen.”
