Just go

Forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever” sing the backing vocalists on the first track (‘Forever’) of Lionel Richie’s new album, as the long absent soulster asserts how his love is going to last forever (and ever and ever and ever and ever), and all I can think is “Jesus, this song is going on forever (and ever and ever and ever).” In truth nobody ever ended an all night brain-storming session with the words “I’ve got it! What we need is a new Lionel Richie record!” This is mainly because Lionel’s early output was forgettable, and thus he was forgotten, and though updated with a smattering of modern r n’b production techniques, Just Go is generally so mired in inoffensive production techniques, bland songwriting, and overly smooth vocal delivery that it’s still pretty forgettable. In fact it’s hard to remember it even when you’re listening to it.

Key track: ‘Forever’