In less than a month, Michael Jackson’s Xscape will hit stores in the physical and digital realms.
Much like 2010’s critically maligned Michael, Xscape will feature updated versions of several songs The King of Pop completed prior to his 2009 passing. Epic Records president L.A. Reid has entrusted these songs to producers including Timbaland, Stargate (the Norwegian production team that’s responsible for hits by Rihanna, Ne-Yo and more) and appearances from Questlove, D’Angelo and Mary J. Blige.
Earlier this week, the 8 tracks included on the album have been revealed. Xscape will be released in two versions: a single disc edition containing the revised versions of the 8 tracks, and a double disc set that adds the original versions of these songs.
Hardcore Michael Jackson fans are already aware of the presence of these songs, and most of them have already circulated pretty widely. The list of producers/collaborators doesn’t seem to be incredibly nutty, so I’m cautiously optimistic about the quality of Xscape, at least relative to other posthumous releases. Although, Michael set the bar pretty low.
Believe that we’ll be reviewing Xscape when it comes out. Stay tuned. Meanwhile, you can preorder it here.
Xscape track listing:
1. LOVE NEVER FELT SO GOOD
2. CHICAGO
3. LOVIN’ YOU
4. A PLACE WITH NO NAME
5. SLAVE TO THE RHYTHM
6. DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR CHILDREN ARE
7. BLUE GANGSTA
8. XSCAPE