When Unbreakable’s first single “No Sleeep” debuted earlier this summer, it seemed that Janet Jackson was poised for a comeback. The track is classic Janet – a slow, pulsating R&B groove paired alongside her sultry coos – perfect for a rainy fall day in the bedroom rather than fun in the sun. We were certainly long overdue for a return to form from Miss Jackson, something more janet. than Discipline. After a couple duds in the early 00’s, we continued rooting for her – we always have.

The lead single certainly didn’t misguide us. Unbreakable is the right album at the right time for Janet. The soul/R&B star reunited with her powerhouse songwriting/production team, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (the duo in charge of her pop-funk Rhythm Nation era, the near-perfect janet., her neo-soul Velvet Rope vibe, and more), and this is a very, very good thing. Not only is this her first album since the death of her brother, The King of Pop, but it’s arguably her best album since 97’s Rope.

Thanks in part to Jam & Lewis, the singer’s sound has nestled safely in between “classic Janet” and “contemporary enough,” neither too heavy-handed in its reliance on the past nor pandering to what’s hip and trendy (looking at you, Madonna.) Though Unbreakable could be stronger by chopping two or three tracks (a usual scenario for most Jackson albums), the songs are quite diverse. The opening title track and “Night” encompass the perfect amount of 90’s nostalgia. “BURNITUP!” (and “Dammn Baby”) turns the energy up to 11, while Missy Elliot jumps on to do her Missy thang. These tracks (and plenty of others on the record) feel partly like a throwback, but with a fresh edge – a delicate balance to strike, but Jackson and her team do so nicely.

While some of what’s found here is expected by fans looking for Janet to revisit sounds of her heyday, “Shoulda Known Better” dips its toes into EDM-lite territory, while “Gon’ B Alright” gets funky and celebratory as the album’s closer. These changes in tempo throughout make it a strong outing and catch you slightly off-guard and vested.

The best song is “The Great Forever” – the singer’s testament to herself. She tells the world that she’s got nothing to prove, and that she’ll always be brazenly her throughout her journey. “It might sound strange to you, what you think it don’t mean nothing at all / doesn’t change who I am, doesn’t change who I love.” She’s older (yes) and wiser (maybe), but it’s her focus that keeps her centered and strong. Just the way we like her.

The entire album unfolds as a quasi-tribute to her brother, Michael. There are cuts where her nuanced vocals sound very similar to Michael’s (could it be natural changes in tone, her intentional inflection of her lower register? Digital manipulation? I guess it doesn’t matter). By the time Jackson is reliving her childhood and recalling “the summer that you left me” and how “the fall and winter never felt so cold” – you mourn with her, but she doesn’t let us wallow. We feel uplifted by the track’s calming optimism. As always, Janet’s powerfully sweeping aura takes over. And it feels good to have her return to the fold.

Grade: B+