Ashanti really delivered with this album. You can hear the growth in lyrically and vocally. Ashanti has always been one to make hit records, but in my opinion, this project surpasses all over her past albums. This happens to be the most versatile albums of the year. It displays so many genre's of music from pop to R&B, and just as the title implies, it is THE DECLARATION. I can listen to this entire album from the begninning to the end. The Way that I love You was just amazing, and is still topping the urban charts. You're gonna miss, a pop inspired is also incredible, I love the beat changes in this song. Things you make me do with Robing Thicke just puts you in the mood, their voices are so great together. Struggle has great vocals and it takes you to a place that everyone can relate to. Girlfriend -HOT!!! just gets you back in the mood. So over YOU - MY FAVORITE -club banger, the beat is just crazy. MOTHER and SHINE are two amazing tracks that display some of Ashanti's best vocals to date. Ashanti always create songs with meaning, and they are two beautiful songs. Body on ME is surely a summer hit with Nelly and Akon. The Declaration climaxes the album where she releases all her inner-thoughts and lets loose. It's amazing with great vocals as well. EVERY SONG is a winner for me. You should definetly BUY this album.

In The Vocal department, Ashanti has improved greatly. Since this album has no samples, as difficult as that is to believe, Ashanti has improved in the instrument department. But here's where she got worse : the lyric department. This album is not as hip-hop as the last 3 (Not counting Collectables By Ashanti) but it's also not as good. "Body On Me", which features Akon and Nelly is one of the worst songs on the album and it's mainly because of Akon's over-sexualized chorus. The Way That I Love You, one of the better songs on the album was an excellent first single choice. "You're Gonna Miss" sounds like a part 2 to Mariah Carey's "I'm That Chick". "Shine" Has great lyrics but she has a child choir and the children in the choir have no singing abilities so, that ruins that song. "Mother" Is one of the highlights on the album (It's also a dedication to her mother/Momager). Honestly, This album could have been a lot better. Plus, In My opinon, the best track is an iTunes only track (In the US) : "Why". That is the best album track and should have been on the CD.

It's great that she dropped the excessive guest rappers, the sampling, and has improved her vocals but this album just doesn't add up. If her 5th album is like this, I think she'll be doing as well as Toni Braxton is right now (And I am still waiting on a comeback from Braxton). This album is not that great.

Standout Tracks
Mother
The Way That I Love You
The Things You Make Me Do (With Robin Thicke)
Struggle

Where do I begin? Ashanti has really blown me away with this album. I went to support her just because I really liked her first single, The way That I Love You. Shockingly I enjoyed her entire album from start to finish. I just love the track, So Over You. Wow! Girlfriend, Things You Make Me Do, Struggle, and Good Good are really on point. Mother is pretty, Shine is inspiring and The Declaration is definitive. Tracks I'm not too crazy about but really aren't that bad; In These Streets, You're Gonna Miss, and Body On Me feat AKon and Nelly. Ashanti is BAAADDD and this album proves it. I would compare its vibe to Mariah's Emancipation of Mimi. Just fun and full of love, hurt, conquering and just good music. Her voice sounds great, and surprisingly she's not overshadowed by beats and noise. What a great 4th effort! Just down right, Amazing! Don't hesitate to download it or buy it because it's worth it.

Despite Rolling Stone giving it 2 stars, I must disagree with their effortless review. She made a great decision by leaving Irv Gotti and actually was real hands on with this album, because clearly she has the talent. This album is by far her second best album next to her first one Ashanti. Don't be fooled when top reviewers say this album was lacking, she brought many different songs to the table that were all very easy to listen to. Welcome back Ashanti.

This is a very mellow R&B album with mid-tempo tracks that stray away from fast up-tempo club jams or party vibes. For the club junkie or dance fanatic, this is not quite that type of bouncy R&B funk. It's a very different sound as compared to her other albums so it was quite a surprise when I first listened to it. This 14-track Japan Import includes the bonus track "Hey Baby (After The Club)", lyrical booklet with words, and obi-strip - a definite bonus!

Featured artists are Nelly, Akon, and Robin Thicke. "Things You Make Me Do" 3:22 featuring Robin Thicke has a nice soothing laid back sensual style to kick back with your lover, or alone. If you enjoy candles, this is a great song to set the mood right. Ashanti's vocals seem improved and very soft on the ears as compared to other songs.

My favorite track is "Body On Me" featuring Nelly & Akon for it's electronica, rap, and hip-hop mesh. The single is availabe here: Body on Me. The beats are catchy, funky, and phenomenal. For me, it feels it's a "most definite" booster to feel uplifted or in the mood to dance. It's positive vibes, hip-hop undertones, and production are very appealing!

Another great song for those who like to snuggle with a lover or fantasize would be "Girlfriend" as it has references to how "I'd give all of me to you... I'd let you touch everything...". "The Way I Love You" has a more soulful rich sound --it's a "you and her" type song. Songs like "So Over You" were a much better style to show--giving better attitude, bouncy beats, and faster tempos.

A nice jam,"You're Gonna Miss" has references to the heart aching, feeling weak, and wanting her lover back but knowing in the end a departure can be and will cause a loss for him. The vocals have some electronic effects that I thought were excellent and would have loved to hear more. Some lyrics, "But I ain't gonna stress about it anymore/And I ain't gonna cry another night alone/Your gonna miss this chick right here/Your gonna miss this chick I swear."

Overall, the cover has a dance look so I was expecting dance tracks. Instead this is a nice mellow R&B album for the fans who already enjoy her style. Having all of her albums I don't know if I'd call this her best from my personal tastes. The bounce, hip-hop, and darker edge are not as prevalent. Featured artists are dropped to a minimum, and the mood is so so mellow. It's hard to feel funky as it may not boost moods to feel in the mood to dance or get down to party. Either way, her declaration is quite evident: to express herself, to be upfront, and more personal through her music.

To mention more positives, "In These Streets" has a much soulful sound, very rich, alive, and great. The song, "Good Good" has a nice hip-hop element as other rap stars are heard in the background. The lyrical booklet has all the words to the song. Apparently, her writing has improved with beautiful songs dedicated to her mother-very touching, and a nice track titled, "Shine" very inspiring and positive--both very nicely done!

The bonus track is "Hey Baby (After The Club)" featuring some guys in the background. This is not the fast high energy paced dance tracks with electronica, bass or bounce. This is not quite that style. It's just a repetitive type sound with references to the club of wanting to leave with that special someone. It's a much better track than many of the others for it's theme. The beats are mid to up-tempo. Ratings: 4 stars.

I recommend the Japan Import for the bonus track, words to the songs, and overall quality. If you remove that song, then it becomes a totally mellow slow mid-tempo album.

*The album titled, Vault by Ashanti is unbelievably 5 stars, check it out. The other Amazon Websites have it available in stock.