This year has not only been a great depression for the world economy, it’s been a disaster in a aspect of rnb as well. Sure we’ve heard some fantastic songs, but in comparison with the last couple of years the lack of strong albums and hits is getting very obvious as we’re closing in on 2009. I put the blame on an identity crisis.

2006 was in many ways revolutionary for the genre which, after a few years of bending the rules of how hits should sound like, now suddenly exploded in dynamic range. Except from Akon who released his second album Konvicted, and T-Pain who continued releasing singles from his debut album from 2005, this was the year for brand new trendsetting producers and songwriters.

With fresh air in form of Danja (c/o Timbaland), The Clutch, Stargate (with Ne-Yo) and Polow Da Don - who all had their own idea of how billboard hits should sound like, we sensed a hunch of artistic freedom in a genre heavily bound to conservative commercial demands. They barged in on the scene stirring around in the rnb pot filled with tired trends and ideals in a way only established giants usually have the permission to do.

The following year started off in the same wonderful way as 2006, but ended up even better. It felt like songwriters and producers flourished when they no longer was bound to the old rulebook of rnb. The songwriters embraced pop as a main ingredient, and the producers gathered inspirations from every possible genre. ‘Umbrella’ sold gold the world over with it’s rock drums, Akon made his own version of african soul, Polow visited british music stores and Timbaland went everywhere at once with his soloalbum. 2007 was like no other rnb year. Artist after artist released fantastic albums, and the years biggest happening - The-Dream, stormed the field with fellow producers Tricky Stewart and L.O.S., bringing us not only the biggest hits of the year (’Umbrella’ & ‘Bed’) but also the best album with his own Love/Hate. But then something happened. The year met it’s end and we was been left waiting for the inspiring stream of quality songs we had gotten used to. What happened exactly?

What 2008 has been missing is a independent ground to stand on. It seems like the revolutionary 2006 and the amazing follow up 2007 drained producers and songwriters of their creativity and new thinking. The curiosity and playfulness from last year is not to be found. Everyone plays it safe, looking back trying to repeat already successful recipes. In most cases the gimmicks used has been a high pitched autotune, productions ala Timbo/Danja-2006 and The-Dream-ish written vocals, often in a unappetizing mix.

If the second half of this decade started of as ground breaking, this year has ended that era with insecurity and carefulness. As I said before, I believe this is the result of a identity crisis. The genre might have rushed forward a bit too fast these last couple of year, now not knowing what leg to lean on.

One trend though, that differs from other years, is the power ballad; a field Chris Brown both introduced and conquered in 2008. If I’m about to speculate in the sounds of next year that’s definitely something we’re gonna hear more of, just like the european influences Stargate and Polow brought with them from their UK trips.

Other possible trends will be a rock approach which Rihanna gave us a taste of last year. It’s been very popular in the pure pop genre and would work well as a revolt to the polished pop sound Konvict with others has nourished in 2008.

And if I would predict a loser of 2009 it’s the autotune. It totally controlled this year but will most likely loose ground now when the climax is reached, with Kanye’s 808’s Heartbreak as an example.

To sum it up: this year of rnb has been disappointing comparred to its predecessors, but hopefully it’s just a temporary state we’re experiencing. A year of recharging the batteries. Maybe a pause was needed to close some of the many opened doors from last year. A break from the evolving to build a new solid grown to stand on before taking up the walk again.

As mentioned in the beginning of this text, 2008 has still treated us on some fantastic songs in which the quality from the last couple of years can be found. We will give you an example of that and more in our Best of 2008 countdown. Every day until New Years Eve we’ll treat you with our favourite songs of the year, starting tomorrow with spot number 25 on the list, and moving up through the ranks until it’s time to crown the number one song of the year as a grand finale when the bottles pop december the 31st.

Enjoy!