Darien Brockington sounded the crux of Little Brother's relationship dilemmas on The Minstrel Show; his hooks dug as deep as any of the confessions of his former North Carolina Central University school mates Phonte and Big Pooh, amplifying their commitment-phobia and Daddy Issues with his Gospel-steeped tone. But Brockington is his own man and Somebody to Love operates out of different worldview, an unflappable belief in picket fences or the next best thing.

Take "Think It Over," an entreaty for more than friendship that feels like a cloudless day. One of two 9th Wonder productions, Brockington offers a nuanced performance; the grey of every bent note bays a devolution to mush. Fellow Justus Leaguer Khrysis '”Don't Say Goodbye,” ominous and flute-forward, depicts a splintering union. "Can We Fall in Love Again," finds Brockington's smoldering alto engaging Vitamin D's hopscotch piano loop. Somebody to Love would be virtually unassailable — his songwriting needs some polishing — if all Brockington's beat selections were so judicious. Hackish (“More and More”) and unsuitable (“I Got What You Want”) production, mainly at the hand of another college bud, Eric E. Jones, flatline some moments — which only underscores the incongruity of… read more »