Music review: Brandy gets personal on "Human," first CD in four years

Brandy has gone through a lot since she released her last CD four years ago. She left her longtime music label, dabbled in TV and was involved in a car crash that killed a woman.

Perhaps because of all of those experiences, her new album, "Human," represents her most personal CD to date.

The 15-track set never disappoints, as the 29-year-old explores love in deeper ways (like on the infectious "Piano Man") than most contemporary R&B artists. She reunites with longtime collaborator Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins for the majority of the CD.

Some of the songs are therapeutic — like "Camouflage," a nice tune where Brandy sings, "These flaws I got, there a part of who I am/Take me or not, but I finally understand." The title track, which Brandy co-wrote, feels just as good. The song is a beautiful reflection of her growth as a singer and as a person.

The CD's best tracks include the cool "1st & Love," "Fall," co-written by Natasha Bedingfield and "Shattered Heart," a futuristic heartbreak song that could easily be remixed by Kanye West while he's in his "808s & Heartbreak" phase.

— The Associated Press