Versus

Billed as the “last chapter of Raymond v Raymond,” Versus is intended as an addendum to Usher’s 2010 full-length, which was met with mixed reviews from critics and audiences. Even though Usher is obviously in damage control mode, Versus works. It’s as if the singer studied feedback from his fans, focused on the stronger parts of Raymond v Raymond and built on them. By focusing on his strengths and not trying to go in too many directions at once, he came up with a stellar collection of new songs. “Love ‘Em All,” “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love” and “Somebody to Love” show Usher nailing the uptempo club sound that was so elusive on his previous album. The singer’s personality doesn’t disappear in these songs — the old Usher is still recognizable, where he was often obscured by some of the trend-hopping of Raymond v Raymond. “Hot Tottie” proves that he is one of the only pop artists able to hold down four audiences at once — pop, club, R&B and hip-hop. A 15-year veteran of the music industry, Usher understood the importance of a quick recovery after a unexpected stumble, and Versus does a lot to help the singer regain his footing.