The metaphor master is back with his fifth album Loso’s Way, bringing together an all-star lineup of producers and features to create one of the best albums of his career. What’s different (and more appealing) about Loso’s Way is that for the first time, Fabolous goes beyond his fly and flashy lifestyle to show some semblance of an actual personality, albeit only on a few tracks. It’s his lack of a relatable persona that seems to hold him back – he’s been making hits for years, but not able to really connect to his audience. All that aside, this album is most definitely a hot one to cop, with hits all the way through.

Since his 2001 debut, Fabolous has been known for including R&B features that never disappoint (well, except maybe that one time with Ashanti, which he quickly re-recorded with Tamia) – Loso’s Way is no exception. From the infectious lead single Throw It In The Bag with The Dream to the smooth and easy The Fabolous Life with Ryan Leslie, Fab keeps it good and hood at the same time. R-Les also contributes the albums third single, Everything, Everyday, Everywhere, producing a hot track over which Keri Hilson blazes the hook. The album’s second single, My Time, is an anthem of triumph and features newcomer Jeremih (Birthday Sex). With a jazzy hook from Ne-yo, Fabolous delves into his more sensual side on Makin Love, and deals with relationship tension-turned-tragedy on Last Time featuring Trey Songz. Former Floetry songstress Marsha Ambrosius lends her buttery smooth vocals to the fatherhood anthem Stay. I’d have to say There He Go is one of the best offerings from the album, along with Money Goes, Honey Stay, which remixes Jay-Z’s When The Money Goes. Downfalls: Lil Wayne puts a damper on Salute, bringing stale and redundant rhymes, and Feel Like I’m Back just doesn’t really do much for me.

In short, this is a fairly true-to-form Fabolous album, lots of single-worthy cuts and metaphor-heavy lyrics that invoke a grin or two. There’s not much here I’d skip over, so I’d definitely recommend that you Throw It In The Bag. The album was pushed back to make way for Fab’s movie release of the same title – and THAT has me worried. Fab’s lack of personality is easier to get over on wax, but film may be a different story. But if you’re a fan of Loso’s style, you’ll enjoy Loso’s Way.

Sound-Savvy officially rates Loso's Way with 4 out of 5 platinum headphones.