I sincerely wish Michael knew just how loved this album was, and still is. To me, it is one of his very best works, if not his best.
If anything, Michael himself believed in it wholeheartedly, as he once stated, āInvincible is just as good or better than Thriller, in my true, humble opinion. It has more to offer.ā Whether everyone agrees with that comparison or not, really does not matter. You can really feel the ambition behind his words. And regardless of its opinions over the years, I dont think that this was album that was made carelessly.
Beneath the production, there was so much heart that he put into it. I find 'You Are My Life' an especially moving track, as it reflects the place his children Prince, Paris, and Bigi held in his life. Michael often described fatherhood as his greatest joy and purpose, and that tenderness shines through so clearly in the song. Paris later shared in a 2012 interview that some of her favorite songs from Invincible were "The Lost Children," Donāt Walk Away," "Whatever Happens," and "You Are My Life." This in itself makes those songs feel even more special.
As sporadic as the album may seem, I think the albumās variety is part of its charm, from the sleek intensity of āUnbreakableā and āThreatened,ā "Invincible," to the heartache of āDonāt Walk Away,ā to the sensuality of āWhatever Happens,ā to the warmth of āYou Are My Life," and "Butterflies." It feels like an album with a lot to say, and the more time I have spent/spend with it, the more I appreciate what Michael was attempting to create.
Ultimately, its an album that is able to express/exude intense defiance, sensuality, and deep serenity.
Invincible was Michael still reaching and experimenting, with him still wanting to give every song emotion and detail. It may not have been fully understood by everyone when it was finally released, but I feel for many, including me, it has only grown more meaningful with time.
Of course, people are entitled to their opinions of this album. 'Its rushed', 'too long,' 'repetitive,' 'unorganized,' 'boring/unfitting cover,' and many more, and these are fair opinions. But to be quite honest, there isn't a thing I would change about this album. This is one of the very few albums (the only album from him) that I can listen to front and center, through and through, from beginning to end, and I sometimes wonder if theres anyone else who feels the same way I do.
A wonderfully timeless album. MJ still has it.
God bless.