Derrick Dunn

Second Listen Sunday : Ne-Yo, 3 Simple Rules

At the tail end of 2021, Ne-Yo slowly crept back into music with the release of two singles, “What If,” and the Young Bleu assisted “Stay Down.” While neither song particularly caught my interest when Valentine’s Day approached, I decided to revisit the surprise EP that the singer gifted fans with on February 14, 2014.

Carrying the title 3 Simple Rules, the project was an instructional manual for the rules of love. The singer opens the project with “New Love,” where the lyric begins with Ne-Yo crooning about how his love makes him feel like a doo-wop song. Ne-Yo sounds excellent, and the song explains the new rules of keeping love.

“Bigger Than This” is the second song and finds the singer providing a track for when it’s time to apologize. Ne-Yo opens the song stating, “Rule number two, Understand that what you have is bigger than this.” Ne-Yo effortlessly strays the line between pop music and his R&B roots with ease on this track. The lyrics are reminiscent of the 2004-esque Ne-Yo, in terms of writing.

“I’m sorry for the wrong that I did, why can’t we just get over it

This ain’t right, were bigger than this bigger than this, stupid fight

Baby girl were bigger than this bigger than this

Staying mad at me for eternity what’s that gonna fix?

So baby, can we try? Cause what we got is so much bigger than this.”

No Ne-Yo project is complete without something for the bedroom, which is the theme of the EP’s third song, “Gotchu Right.” Ne-Yo opens the song with the lyrics, “Rule number three, the most important rule: No matter what, you must always – get her right.” Over the track, Ne-Yo casually boasts about getting things right for that special someone during a session of intimacy.

The lyrics and the vibe are self-explanatory, and in all honesty, the song would be a hit for another artist. Ne-Yo closes the project with an outro where he pleads his affection for his lady. In my opinion, the outro is better than some albums already released in 2022. Outside of his die-hard fan base, 3 Simple Rules rarely receives mention. So, if you’ve never heard the EP, it’s one of the signer’s more substantial offerings from the latter part of his career.

Final Grade: A

3 Simple Rules is available to stream here : https://soundcloud.com/compound-entertainment/sets/ne-yo-3-simple-rules

More reviews to explorer

Second Listen Sunday: Tamia, Tamia

July 21, 2024

There’s no denying the exceptional talent of Canadian singer Tamia, whose voice stands out as one of the most distinctive in R&B. Her introduction to the music scene was marked by her captivating performances in two songs, the soulful ballad “You Put A Move on my Heart” and the Babyface duet “Slow Jams,” both featured on the 1995 Quincy Jones album Q’s Jook Joint. Tamia’s collaborations with Brandy, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan and her contribution to the legendary ballad “Missing You” further solidified her reputation as a powerhouse in the industry.

Slow Jam Saturday: IV Xample, I’d Rather Be Alone

July 20, 2024

In the 1990s, R&B music was dominated by vocal groups known for their captivating lead singers and smooth harmonies. This week, I wanted to highlight IV Xample and their single “I’d Rather Be Alone” for Slow Jam Saturday.

Second Listen Sunday: Babyface, Lovers

July 14, 2024

As an independent entertainment critic, one of my primary concerns stems from observing established figures within the music industry making factual errors during interviews or reviews. Of particular note are instances where Bobby Brown’s “Don’t Be Cruel” and Usher’s “My Way,” released in 1988 and 1997, are erroneously cited as the artists’ debut albums. It is evident to genuine music enthusiasts that such claims are inaccurate.