Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	(58/100)
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
The A.V. Club	C+
The Boston Globe	mixed
Entertainment Weekly	C+
Los Angeles Times
NME	4/10
Slant Magazine
The Washington Post	mixed

New Life is the seventh studio album by American recording artist Monica, released by RCA Records on April 6, 2012. It marked the singer's debut release with the company following the disbandment of her former label, J Records in October 2011. A musical continuation of her commercially successful 2010 album Still Standing, Monica started working on the album only weeks after the release of the former. She reteamed primarily with frequent writers and producers, including Bryan-Michael Cox, Jermaine Dupri, Missy Elliott, and Cainon Lamb but also collaborated with new and upcoming producers such as singer Rico Love, whose songs replaced much of her cousin, producer Polow da Don's original material.

New Life is predominately a contemporary R&B album with major influences of pop and soul that incorporates subtle elements of contemporary urban genres such as gospel, quiet storm, and reggae. The album's lyrics explore the complexities of romantic relationships and stages of love, much of which was inspired by Monica's marriage to professional basketball player Shannon Brown and her relocation to Arizona. Guest vocalists on the album are rappers Rick Ross and Wale as well as singer and close friend Mary J. Blige. Entertainer Brandy, who had previously collaborated with Monica on their number-one record "The Boy Is Mine" (1998), features on the single "It All Belongs to Me".

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Wikipedia