Release Therapy

Having spent four studio albums keeping the party banging, Ludacris takes a stylistic swerve on Release Therapy. A more mature, thoughtful artist emerges on “Tell It Like It Is,” where the rapper offers sound business advice for the next generation of stars, and “Runaway Love,” a cutting depiction of the hardships facing young women. But the Neptunes-produced “Money Maker” shows Luda’s club chops haven’t faded, while the groggy, soulful jam “Woozy” might be one of his most sensual tracks ever.