K I gave it a 3, its okay!...some of the songs just doesn't do it for me, but I'll give time for it grow on me. Although i gave it an average score, its definitely better than anything coming out right now, I can tell you that lol. Anyway, my short and sweet review.
Hold My Hand - I loved it when it first leaked and I love this version even more since there's more MJ in it
Hollywood Tonight - from the snippet, I didn't think I'd like that song. The melody seemed a little bland to me...buuuuuuuuut I like it! It's got a good beat, and that 'bland' melody really grows on you when you hear it over and over lol. It's catchy
I like the different effect done on his voice - seems current sounding. The spoken part...lol...I think that could have been cut short
Keep Your Head Up - LOVE IT. Nuff said. I love how this kind of 'choir' song that MJ specializes in
...is very specific. It's not just a 'save the world' kind of song, but its very personal and relate-able, like Man In The Mirror.
The Way You Love Me - LOVE THE INTRO. Of course. I honestly can't decide which version I like better of this song. The Ultimate Collection had a more groovy driving beat in the background that made me want to bounce to it.
But I like this version because its puuuuuurdy with the flutes and more pronounced piano and the mixing of the chorus and that bridge
Its prettier than the original I think.
Monster - I think this is one my favorites lol. It sounds SOOOOO current to me. Like I can hear this on the radio NOW. And MJ has such attitude in it! and 50 Cent wasn't too bad in it either (wasn't expecting that lol). But MJ sounds SPECTACULAR in this song. SERIOUSLY.
Best of Joy - AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAW SNIBBLETS! this song is just so full of warm fuzzies, I can't even take it. I have a warm fuzzy overload with this song. It's like probably
the wedding song of the year. And its also seems comforting - just hearing MJ singing "I am forever, we are forever" Its beautiful. Ironically beautiful.
It also seems Janet Jackson-y (and at times very Bee Gees too) which is also very cute lol
Breaking News - I like this song! I thought it was veeeeeeeeery catchy. I was singing it all the time in the shower when I first heard it
(Yep, TMI moment
)
Another Day - Okay things go downhill for me here. I caaaaaan't bring myself to like this song lol Number one, I'm not that big of a fan of Lenny, and this is COMPLETELY a Lenny song. And unlike MJ's other 'rockin' songs, he's screaming through out the whole thing lol. In Beat it, there's some balance, in Dirty Diana - there's balance. In this, it just seems like MJ's just SCREAMING in my ear for the entirety of the song. LOL
Behind the Mask - I like the concept. I like the trumpet and the background sound to it. BUT...this song is just ALL OVER the place to me. I have no idea if this song is coming or going, melody wise lol. I liked the snippet when it came out though! But the song as a whole was just like...wth? LOL He sounds GREAT in it though! But combined with the robot b-section (which sounds very dated lol) and all the noise going on and the choppy chorus...and the synthesizers, and several adlib voices at the end...and to TOP IT OFF...RANDOM GIRL (shanice) AT THE END BELTING OUT "I LOVE YA MIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICHAELLLL" That had me cracking up the first time I heard it. i was straight up like 'what the heeeeeeeeeeeck?!" It would be different if I heard her somewhere else in the song...give me a little WARNING
I wasn't prepared for that lol
Much Too Soon - PURE WIN. I loved it the first time i heard it, and it is a BIG sigh of a relief and quiet after all that was going on in Another Day and behind the mask
Beauuuuuuuuutiful
So here's my rankings from best to worst:
1. Best of Joy
2. Monster
3. Keep Your Head up
4. Much Too Soon
5. Hold My Hand
6. The Way You love Me
7. Breaking News
8. Hollywood Tonight
9. Behind the Mask
10. Another Day
EDIT: I moved Best of Joy from 5 to 1 because in a period of an hour, it grew on me THAT much lol
EDIT AGAIN: Ok Behind the Mask is growing on me, its not THAT terrible