Double Up

iTunes Review

Riding high off a string of brilliant cameo appearances on hit singles and remixes, R. Kelly has delivered an album brimming with confidence and chock full of everything that we love about the idiosyncratic “king of r’n’b.” On Double Up, Kelly takes the multi-character concept of his “Trapped In the Closet” opus to new heights with “Real Talk,” “Best Friend,” and “Same Girl,” all of which highlight his singular talent for turning casual conversation into epic r’n’b poetry. And then, of course, there’s his superhuman ability with a double entendre. In Kelly’s hands, a song called “The Zoo” is not about a visit to the panda exhibit, and when he sings about having a “Sweet Tooth,” rest assured he’s not asking for a Whitman’s Sampler. The album’s slew of collaborations with hip-hop’s current crop of hitmakers highlight Kelly’s ability to complement any given partner and add a much-needed splash of personality to the often-bland landscape of today’s r’n’b. A master stylist, his unmistakable singing, songwriting, and well-honed persona make Kelly one of the few must-hear artists on the contemporary pop scene.