Album Review: D.N.A. - Mario

Note to the pop music industry - it’s ok to take chances sometimes. Not everyone has to drop auto tune vocals over the same played out production. With that said, if being different were like a big pool of cold water that no one wants to step into, Mario’s new album D.N.A. is at least dipping its toe in and throwing you off a little in a good way.

I like Mario. He’s one of the rare pop-R&B vocalists who sounds like he feels something when he steps to the mic, and his results over the last few years speak for themselves. As a result, he’s got crossover appeal, which manifests itself in the variety of beats he rides on this album. Some sound like traditional American Idol-type pop, others are straight R&B, and others I can’t really classify.

These are the tracks that stand out to me the most:

Break Up [Explicit] (a little slow, but long shelf life on the charts, and definitely unique)

Before She Said Hi (sort of a modern twist on 90s R&B hits like Don’t Walk Away)

Thinkin' About You (majestic production; brings to mind a parade or summertime carnival)

Most of the rest is kind of vanilla. But when Mario gets a little unconventional with the melody and production, it gets my attention, which is a feat.

Overall, I give D.N.A. a 3.75 out of 5. Even when it’s a little lackluster, it’s not bad at all. Hopefully Mario keeps branching out and going against the grain when he can, because he’s got the talent to pull it off.

Download the album: D.N.A. [Explicit]