Janet Jackson — 20 Y.O.

It's been 20 years since Janet Jackson hit it big with Control, and to mark the occasion she's back with 20 Y.O. She has the same mantra here that she's followed since dispensing with socially relevant music in favour of increasingly raunchy R&B. "There's something to be said for not saying anything," she says. "I wanna keep it light, I don't want to be serious." Fair enough. A lot of good pop music is light and fun. But actively arguing passivity during such a bleak time for world affairs is just plain stupid. As her celebrity existence becomes more and more surreal, it's no surprise Janet is churning out more of the same, dated, feel-good slow jams. This is possibly her most derivative album to date, and the generic song titles — "Show Me," "Do it 2 Me," "With U," "Love 2 Love," etc. — are emblematic of Janet's overall willingness to rehash limp and forgettable pop pap.

Get it from