Hot Song: Usher's 'Climax'

Usher strips away all his previous successes on his new single "Climax" (RCA), offering a fresh twist on the dancefloor-ready R&B that is dominating the airwaves. Usher sings most of the song in a soulful falsetto, letting the shifting beat crafted by Diplo provide the tension. The beat builds in the bridge and then backs off, while Usher's vocal remains the same tempo. It's risky, but it pays off with the rare pop song that still sounds original.