‘II’: Boyz II Men’s Classic R&B Album
Doubling down on their strengths while oscillating between new sounds, ‘II’ is the rare sequel that surpasses the original.
If there was ever such a thing as a perfect musical rookie season, it belonged to Boyz II Men. With their 1991 debut album, Cooleyhighharmony, the Philadelphia quartet used soulful harmonies and accessible boy next door charm to become instant superstars, selling nine million albums while earning sizable critical acclaim. While they followed it up with their 1993 holiday album, Christmas Interpretations, their proper sophomore LP wouldn’t hit shelves until nearly three years after their maiden voyage. It was more than worth the wait. Released in 1994, II saw the crew deliver apex New Jack Swing anthems while reaffirming their status as the best ballad singers in the music industry. In doing so, they crystallized one of the greatest commercial peaks in modern R&B history.
For II, Boyz II Men expanded the scope of their sound while enhancing their original foundation. As the world became entranced by gangsta rap, the crew embedded screeching West Coast synths onto “All Around the World”; it’s New Jack Swing reimagined for the G-Funk era. Meanwhile, for “U Know,” they glide over vibey electric strings and a bouncy Five Stairsteps sample for a loverboy theme song designed for the dance floor.
To be sure, II has slaps. But its greatest power remains in slower tempos. Covering a Beatles classic, “Yesterday” is an a cappella exhibition for the ages, with the group’s emotive vocals conjuring ghosts of mourning, regret, and quiet acceptance. Imbued with gleaming, yet understated synths, lusciously soulful vocals and lyrics that are as sensual as they are delicately yearning, “I’ll Make Love to You” is a portrait of perfectly naked intimacy. With its romantic piano and pleading sentiments, “On Bended Knee” is the sound of romantic surrender. II reflects an elemental mastery of R&B – of aesthetics, feelings, and uninhibited soul.
Decades removed from its release, the LP stands as a living emblem of all-around virtuosity; it’s an album that did as well with fans as it did with critics. “I’ll Make Love to You” spent 14 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart, only to be usurped by Boyz II Men’s follow up single, “On Bended Knee.” That one held down the No. 1 spot for six weeks. To date, the album itself has sold over ten million copies worldwide. Doubling down on their strengths while oscillating between new sounds, II is the rare sequel that surpasses the original.
