The latest artist to sign with superstar Akon’s record label is hip-hop artist Colby O’Donis, who has exploded onto the music scene.

His debut album, Colby O, dropped last month and proves that he could be a force to be reckoned with.

With idols such as Justin Timberlake, Usher and Michael Jackson, you can clearly see how his music emulates their music almost uncannily.

With songs like “Sophisticated Bad Girl” and “The Difference,” the resemblances between these artists is very clear. “Sophisticated Bad Girl” actually sounds like Justin Timberlake’s “Lovestoned” if you listen very closely to the background.

The tune is catchy, very upbeat and a perfect addition to his overall album.

It has all the right stuff for a slow hip-hop/pop song. “The Difference,” on the other hand, is very slow and clearly resembles Usher’s Confessions album that came out in 2004. The song itself is very pretty and models O’Donis’ sweet Akon-like voice.

A harp-like instrument in the beginning adds a nice touch to the overall Usher-like sound of the song.

Although most of his album sounds very similar and the lyrics themselves are not too deep or lyrically advanced, it is a good starter album. However with all the rage for this new artist, his album does come across as almost disappointing.

It sounds exactly like any other R&B/soul, hip-hop and pop mix album.

He does have a few good tracks, which interestingly enough are the ones that sound very close to other artists of this time and age. His first song, “What You Got,” is a perfect opening to the 15-track album. The song has a Sean Paul flavor in the beginning, which fades into an Akon hip-hop beat. It’s very catchy and “is always talking about what you got.”

“Under My Nose,” the second track on this album, is a bit slower than his first song. Wind instruments echo in the background, adding a nice R&B/Soul element to the song.

“Take You Away,” Colby’s fifth track, is a perfect example of how a Spanish-flavored song can be made to sound hip-hop.

O’Donis takes elements of Spanish music and combines them with Lil Romeo’s rapping ability to produce a good mix of artists and beats.

On the other hand, songs like “Let You Go” actually need to go. Colby displays a good use of his voice but although he is “not trying to break your heart,” the song will do exactly that.

It sounds too much like Usher’s beats.

With an acoustic guitar in the background, it almost seems like O’Donis is bringing 3 Doors Down’s element of rock into his music.

The song is very slow and sounds like something you would hear in a chick flick movie when a girl is upset about losing her boyfriend.

All in all, O’Donis’ album is nothing special, but it is worth listening to.

If nothing else, the second-to-last song, “Don’t Turn Back” is pretty lyrically sound.

Combining elements of keyboard clapping and Spanish acoustic guitar, it’s a pop-like and catchy tune.

One should be advised, “don’t turn back” and “don’t look back” on Colby O.