“How does it feel?” Lonely and cold, gloomy and ominous. The most popular singer in the world has experienced a “swift and sudden fall from grace”, it’s raining, “sunny days seem far away”, and it seems he’s in imminent danger. He’s a Stranger In Moscow.

The song, flawed mainly by a gratuitous prelude; the storm is too quiet; and synth drums that sound somewhat out of place, doesn’t make much of an impact until the final third. That’s when Michael Jackson drops the subtleties and finally opens up vocally.

my rating : 4 of 5

1995