The legendary Janet Jackson has been absent from the scene for the past few years, instead focusing on her personal life. With this week marking the 6th year since she unleashed her last album ‘Discipline’, what better to pay homage to to Her Highness with this week’s From The Vault pick. Our selection is the set’s exquisite first single ‘Feedback‘.
Released as a “surprise” in December 2007, ‘Feedback’ was helmed by the ever-versatile Rodney Jerkins – making it the first of many collaboration between the two.
Put simply, the cut was every inch the comeback single the career-doctor ordered. ‘Feedback’ saw Ms. Jackson borrowing from what was hot while putting her magical spin on it – resulting in a futuristic, high octane, harmony-heavy, swagger-soaked banger.
Side note: Alongside Destiny’s Child‘s ‘Lose My Breath‘, we feel like ‘Feedback’ – with its “back with a bang” aura – is what every comeback/first single should feel like: an event.
In America, the joint served as Janet’s biggest hit since 2001’s ‘Someone To Call My Lover’ peaking at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Hot Dance Club Play.
Due to a lack of promotion overseas (see: label politics), it was only a minor hit in Europe, missing the chart in the UK altogether.
Coincidentally, it was British director Saam Farahmand who was in charge of the song’s visual. Perhaps in a bid to pay tribute to the star’s out-of-this-world talent, he opted for an intergalactic theme where the leader of the Rhythm Nation can be seen hoping planets while blessing her legion of fans with some intense choreography along the way with an intensity only she can deliver.
Reportedly hard at work on a new project, Janet’s next move will be a crucial one, for the music industry is continually changing leaps and bounds. From musical trends to charting policies to the onset of social media, nothing is the same as 6 months ago speak less 6 years. However, if there’s one thing this icon can be relied upon for, it’s delivering quality music and visuals. In many ways, it’s Jackson Family Values.
Though we’re crossing our fingers for collaborations with the likes Bruno Mars, Drake and Kendrick Lamar as well as productions by the likes of Bangladesh, Noah “40” Shebib and of course Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Darkchild, we’re asking YOU:
