In an R&B/neo-soul realm dominated by big names with big voices and even bigger eccentricities, where even a figure as mainstream and ubiquitous as R. Kelly is kookier than most outsider artists, hit-songwriter-turned-recording artist Ne-Yo can initially come off as a little bland, just another R&B slickster crooning for the ladies over smooth beats. But Ne-Yo's much-buzzed-about second album, Because Of You, is a real sleeper that reveals considerable strengths upon repeat listens. Like nearly every halfway interesting soul singer, Ne-Yo has been known to channel Prince, most directly and impressively on "Addicted," with its playfully swaggering sexuality, or in the chilly robotic funk of "Sex With My Ex."