Usher: Raymond v Raymond

This album has topped the US charts, where fans of Usher Raymond IV avidly follow his life. The subject of Raymond v Raymond – his recent divorce, which may have been precipitated by his roving eye – is the stuff of gossip blogs there, but is less familiar here. Thus, to transatlantic ears, Raymond v Raymond sounds like straightforward priapic musings. With his honey-drenched voice and unhurried delivery, Usher can pop out songs such as Mars vs Venus ("This is the big bang," he murmurs over a slow, synthesised heartbeat) in his sleep, to say nothing of the dub-tinted Pro Lover ("This ain't about fidelity"). And this week's No 1 single, the irresistible, Will.i.am-assisted OMG ("Honey got a booty like pow-pow-pow"). He does express regret about the marriage breakdown on Papers, but it rings hollow, as does most of this so-so record.