If you liked I Try, the single that catapulted Macy Gray to international notice, then you'll probably be okay with Finally Made Me Happy, the second release from her new album, Big.
It's not a love song - he finally made her happy by walking out the door - but it has all the elements that made I Try so distinctive: those odd pauses mid chorus; an uplifting tune; softly growling verses followed by Gray opening up that big, big voice. It's not quite as good and it doesn't sound so original, seven years on, but it's slick and commercial, and may finally give Gray another big hit.
Produced by wil.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas, Natalie Cole is in there somewhere doing additional vocals, although to be honest I couldn't really identify her contribution. It's certainly one of the best songs on her new album, and undoubtedly the most commercial. It will appeal to lots of lovelorn women but creatively it's just treading water.
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