The-Dream Taps Mary J. Blige, Gucci Mane for 'Love IV MMXII'
The-Dream is a master of seduction. The R&B singer-songwriter takes his craft to the next level on his fourth album Love IV MMXII (previously titled The Love IV: Diary of a Madman). Rolling Stone previewed nine songs from the follow-up to 2010’s Love King, which features collaborations with Mary J. Blige and Gucci Mane. “Love IV blends braggadocio with seduction over heavily percussive, synth-driven soundscapes,” writes the magazine, which also notes his improved falsetto. Find out what you can expect.
The mid-tempo “Foreplay” recalls R. Kelly, while Terius rides the beat on the drum-heavy “Equestrian.” He takes it to the strip club on “Slow It Down,” where he croons, “I know they ain’t gonna play this on Top 40 radio.”
Mary J. Blige sings over violins on the introspective “Divine” and he balls out with Gucci Mane on the club banger “Paid,” which borrows a sample from Nino Brown in New Jack City.
“Katrina” is described as the “masculine counterpart to Beyoncé’s ‘Irreplaceable’,” while the Radio Killa takes thinly-veiled shots at his R&B counterparts The Weeknd and J. Holiday on “Talk That Shit.” “Y’all ni**as so disrespectful remixing my own shit,” he quips.
The-Dream keeps it real on “Ya’ll,” owning up to his flaws. “Sometimes even my cape needs dry cleaning,” sings the R&B superhero. “Crucify me if you want, but I won’t stop loving y’all.”
Love IV MMXII does not currently have a release date. A video for the first single “ROC” was released last month.