Leaving behind the sexually explicit image from his previous album,
Naked,
Marques Houston shows personal growth and maturity on his new record,
Veteran. "The new album is really personal," Marques says. "What I've been through, it's relationship-driven -- being a man, being in love."
Veteran opens with an adorable 2-year-old Marques parroting lines from his mother as he reveals his dreams. And Marques certainly has made something of himself with 17-plus years as an industry veteran. Marques says that he's "moved away from the whole 'being-sexy-take-your-shirt-off' thing." And it's true: on Veteran, Marques takes on the relationship department as he tries to school the world on love.
The album kicks off with an upbeat track featuring Young Joc -- "Like This," a throwback to snap music. Young Joc brings the obvious southern influence to this track as he rhymes over a hi-hat and simple bass, and Marques mixes in his soulful voice to make a great dance beat for the clubs.
On lead single, "Favorite Girl," Marques professes his love and desire for his girl over a mid-tempo groove. Not only is his lyrical maturity visible throughout this album, but his vocal maturity shows that he's moved away from swooning the teen crowd with a more adult R&B feel.
