Album: Pharrell <!-- none onestar twostar threestar fourstar fivestar -->

In My Mind, VIRGIN

Though rock'n'roll is to a large extent built upon unfettered ego, there is one kind of hubris that afflicts producers, persuading them that their talents extend to in front of the mic. Which is only excusable if you're Brian Wilson, and most unwelcome from the former Neptune Pharrell Williams, whose career has slipped into precipitous artistic decline ever since he became convinced of his solo potential. Just about bearable as a guest on someone else's track, he simply lacks the skills to carry an entire album on his own: even aided by contributions from Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Nelly and Jay-Z, the charisma gap on this solo album is so cavernous it's embarrassing. Even if he had anything compelling to say, Pharrell doesn't have the panache: he sounds like he believes rapping is no more than talking over beats. Worse, his fund of decent grooves appears to have been used up on production commissions for other artists, leaving just a smattering of weary, monotonous husks for his own material. One suspects he was too busy on the apparently mandatory personalised clothing and footwear brands to spend more than a cursory moment at his music. Hubris - or just greed?

DOWNLOAD THIS: 'Our Father', 'Best Friend'