If we were to judge solely on latest single 'Don't Wake Me Up' we'd be inclined to agree that Brown certainly has the chops and bravado to dominate pop. A storming synth line and head-rocking beats result in a bonafide four-to-the-floor club smash. Even chart-topping trailer cut 'Turn Up The Music' allowed Brown to flex his on-point dance moves with a suitable amount of swaggering showmanship.
However, the remainder of the record fails to offer anything remotely as exciting - unless hearing at great lengths that Breezy likes shagging, drinking and money is your thing. 'Bassline' comes across as a lazy attempt to add a dosage of on-trend dubstep, while 'Sweet Love' is a swaying R&B jam with predictably provocative lyrics ("All these sensations got me going crazy for you/ Inside on top of you").
Melancholic ballad 'Don't Judge Me' teases the promise of a bold and heartfelt statement, before you realise that he's just apologising for being a player with very little remorse. While the vast majority of Fortune is a far cry from being terrible, there is a frustrating lack of progression from an artist apparently capable of so much more.
Tracks to download: 'Don't Wake Me Up', 'Turn Up The Music', 'Till I Die'
If you like this, you'll like: Usher, Trey Songz, Justin Bieber
Watch the music video for Chris Brown's 'Don't Wake Me Up' below:
