Overview
Usher's seventh studio album, Looking 4 Myself, was released on June 8, 2012, through RCA Records. The record represents a deliberate effort by an established R&B artist to adapt to contemporary mainstream sounds while keeping vocal R&B traditions central. It juxtaposes intimate slow songs with uptempo, dance-oriented tracks and reflects trends in early 2010s popular music.
Background and recording
Work on the album began in 2011 when Usher set out to develop what he described in press as a more current and eclectic direction—sometimes summarized as an attempt at "revolutionary pop." Recording took place with a wide group of collaborators across multiple studios. The sessions emphasized modern production techniques, vocal layering and an openness to electronic textures and rhythmic experimentation.
Musical style and themes
The album blends elements of electronic music, contemporary hip hop, classic soul and mainstream pop. Lyrically, the songs range from romantic introspection and relationship tensions to confident, club-ready statements. Across the record, Usher alternates falsetto-led ballads with more produced, beat-driven numbers, demonstrating both vocal control and an ability to adapt phrasing to different textures.
Production and collaborators
The production roster included Diplo, Rico Love, Jim Jonsin, Salaam Remi, Pharrell Williams and Max Martin, among others. Each contributor brought a distinct sensibility—electronic beats, pop hooks, soulful grooves and hip-hop-influenced rhythms. Guest appearances added variety; the album features contributions from artists such as Rick Ross, Pharrell (who also produced), Luke Steele and A$AP Rocky in supporting vocal or feature roles.
Singles and promotion
The album was supported by three principal singles: "Climax", "Scream" and "Lemme See". "Climax," produced by Diplo, drew critical attention for its sparse, electronic production and emotionally restrained vocal delivery; it reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and performed strongly on R&B charts. "Scream" was released as an uptempo single and became a top 10 pop hit, illustrating the album's dance-pop direction. Promotion included television performances and live appearances on shows such as Saturday Night Live and Good Morning America, as well as theatrical presentations that showcased the material in choreographed, theatrical settings.
Critical reception
Reviews were generally positive about the album's willingness to mix genres and to experiment with modern sounds while retaining Usher's vocal strengths. Critics praised specific tracks for production detail and vocal nuance; others were more cautious, noting that the stylistic breadth sometimes left the record feeling uneven. Overall, commentators viewed the album as a bold mainstream R&B artist's attempt to engage with contemporary pop and electronic trends, rather than a straightforward return to classic R&B form.
Commercial performance
Looking 4 Myself debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming Usher's fourth chart-topping album. It sold in the six-figure range in its first week, securing the top position despite a first-week total that was lower than some of his previous releases. Several singles from the album also charted across pop and R&B listings, helping sustain interest in the record over the months following its release.
Legacy
The record is notable for documenting a moment when mainstream R&B artists incorporated electronic and pop production styles into their work. For listeners and students of contemporary R&B, Looking 4 Myself is an example of an established singer balancing commercial expectations with a desire to remain sonically current, and it helped influence how R&B acts approached collaborations with electronic and pop producers in the 2010s.