Released 17 years ago this October
D.N.A.
Mario · 2009
45 min · 12 tracks · contemporary R&B
Smooth contemporary R&B melodies intertwine with heartfelt lyrics, showcasing a blend of vulnerability and romantic longing.
Top tracks — play these first
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Break Up — As the lead single, this track showcases Mario's vocal prowess and explores themes of heartbreak with an infectious hook that resonated widely.
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Soundtrack to My Broken Heart — This song stands out for its poignant narrative about lost love, underscored by emotional delivery and relatable lyrics that evoke deep feelings.
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I Choose You — With its upbeat tempo and romantic messaging, this track highlights Mario's ability to blend catchy melodies with sincere sentiment, making it a fan favorite.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features solid songwriting and production but lacks standout moments that elevate it beyond its genre.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a consistent mid-tempo groove, while the second half introduces slower ballads that shift the emotional tone.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies that enhance the melodic lines, particularly in the choruses.
- The lyrics across multiple songs explore themes of love and heartbreak, often employing a conversational style that invites listener connection.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- smooth melodies for romantic moments
- heartfelt lyrics exploring vulnerability
- suitable for late-night introspection
- engaging storytelling through emotional themes
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat party tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- D.N.A. is Mario's third studio album, released in 2009 after his commercial peak with the hit single 'Let Me Love You' from his previous album. At this point in his career, Mario was navigating the challenges of maintaining relevance in an evolving R&B landscape while aiming to solidify his artistic identity.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Usher· Trey Songz· Chris Brown
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Break Up 4:08
- 2 Thinkin About You 4:12
- 3 Get Out 3:05
- 4 Soundtrack to My Broken Heart 3:10
- 5 Starlight 3:57
- 6 Stranded 3:23
- 7 Oh Baby 3:40
- 8 Before She Said Hi 4:25
- 9 I Choose You 4:22
- 10 Don't Walk Away 3:57
- 11 I Miss My Friend 3:48
- 12 The Hardest Moment 3:36
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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