"Like I Never Left" (CD single) (by Whitney Houston, R&B)

Five years. That's how long it's been since Whitney Houston graced the radio waves with a new release. Although she's managed to remain in the public eye due to her erratic behavior and ill-fated marriage to Bobby Brown, Houston's vocal strengths, for the most part, have been MIA for close to a decade. But there are signs the old Whitney is back. She's reunited with her music mentor Clive Davis and is slated to debut her comeback album later this year. For this single, Houston teams up with Akon for a duet about redemption, forgiveness, and getting back to where you want to be -- all appropriate themes for Ms. Houston.

Unlike many artists who have to rely on lots of musical bells and whistles, Whitney Houston at her peak was able to carry a song with her dynamic voice alone. On this newest single, there are glimpses of this vocal power; however, Houston also shows off her musical maturity with a mellow single of controlled vocals that soothe the listener, rather than overwhelm with killer high notes. It doesn't have the driving beats, suggestive lyrics, or overly-dramatic vocals common to many of today's R&B hits, but it's easy on the ears. And, the redemptive theme is perfectly suited to Houston -- without being entirely autobiographical. Welcome back, Whitney, it's good to hear you again.

Released on: July 27, 2008
Label: Arista
Genre: R&B