The-Dream

There aren't too many R&B artists these days with The-Dream's cred and hitting streak. The dude has penned two indisputable classics over the past five years – Rihanna's “Umbrella” and Beyoncé's “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” – and has recorded some of the freakiest, hookiest, and all-around best soul albums of the new millennium. His new one, Love IV MMXII, is due sometime this spring. It follows 1977, the free mixtape he released last year under his birth name, Terius Nash. That album was a bit of a stylistic departure from his usual pop-kissed bedroom jams, focusing instead on the breakup of his marriage. It's sorta like Marvin Gaye's Here, My Dear without all the bitchiness. The first single from Love IV MMXII, “Roc,” finds The-Dream back in loverman mode, sweet talking some shortie into having sex with him. Pretty much business as usual. His three-week Kill the Lights Tour of smaller venues comes to House of Blues this week. See it with someone who looks good naked. 8 p.m. Tickets: $22.50-$40. -- Michael Gallucci