Jamie Foxx's "Intuition" Is a Tale of Two Halves

It has been nearly 3 years since Oscar and Grammy award winner Jamie Foxx has released a studio album. His 2005 record "Unpredictable" -- in spite of mixed reviews and entirely mediocre material -- was a surprise hit, certified double platinum (essentially due to his Oscar winning portrayal as Ray Charles in "Ray") and produced a #1 R&B hit of the same title. Now 41 years older and removed from the hype of his acting success, Foxx aims to replicate this commercial success with "Intuition", an equally star-studded affair featuring guest spots from a slew of A-listers including Lil Wayne, Kanye West, The-Dream, T.I., and Ne-Y0, just to name a few. In several interviews leading up to the album's release, Foxx asserted this unlike his previous record -- which features an overkill of slow-jams -- this album is "aimed more towards the clubs."

And, for the most part, Foxx wasn't lying, as nearly the first half of "Intuition" sizzles with thumping beats and addictive hooks. The Tricky Stewart-produced lead single "Just Like Me" takes an Usher leftover and transforms it into a sleek, skittering piece perculating with exuberance. The ensuing five song string of the album is a stellar showcase of modern R&B production, featuring funky, futuristic beats from Timbaland, Just Blaze, The-Dream, and newcomber Christopher "Deep" Henderson that are both radio and club ready. However, once the record reaches its titular interlude, it loses all of its momentum. Although the second half of the record features similarly professional production, its reliance on slow jams grows samely, particularly on the tedious and quite cliched Tricky-Stewart jam "Slow" and equally dull "Overdose."

Although Foxx is indeed pushing his mid 40s, his chameleon-like status and confidence really sells the stellar first half of the record, a party-ready stretch that sounds like a record coming from a twenty-something, nor a man of middle-age. From the beat-boxing bounce of Timbaland's "I Don't Need It" to Just Blaze's ingenious interploration of The Beastie Boy's "The New Style" on "Number One", there are a number of potential hit singles frontloaded in the album's first twenty minutes. Ironically, when Foxx plays the mature loverman role on the album's later half, he comes off awkward, stale, and just downright dull. Nonetheless, "Intuition" deserves a listen, regardless of its second half slump. Or at least for twenty minutes.