Freakin' Rock

Billboard reviews Janet Jackson's brand new song "Rock With U".

After relentless servings of humble pie, Janet Jackson at last earned her just desserts as full-length "Discipline" launched atop the Billboard 200 last issue. But where was radio with its support of ingratiating first single "Feedback"? Can you say, "Doink"? Island now takes two admirable steps forward with release of a duo of follow-ups: first, dreamy "Rock With U," a breathy dance ditty in which Jackson conjures her upper register amid cool production ticks and a persistent eight-cylinder beat kicking out hooks. The tad more aggressive "Luv" features persistent synths at the helm, again with a sugary, multilayered harmonic vocal. All said, Jackson delivers a couplet of highly styled signature pop tracks. Now if only radio would remember that listeners like to sing along with songs—there's even a name for it: hit. —Chuck Taylor

Listen to the song here.