The second season of Empire has sang and rapped its way back into the public eye with all its controversies and family drama. The second season continues three months after the first season left off with Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard) still behind bars and the rest of the gang, excluding Jamal (Jussie Smollett), attempting a hostile takeover. The storyline continues with the hot topics of family, betrayal, and power driving the narrative.

As far as characters go, Cookie Lyon (Taraji P. Henson) is at the top of her game as she keeps everyone on edge with her unpredictable behavior. Lucious, the other part of America’s most captivating ex-couple, just can’t seem to be beat with his devious, divisive mind that just seems to always to be one step ahead of everybody else. The dynamic between these two characters is undeniably one of the best television has ever produced. The constant back and forth between the two is the ultimate draw to the addictive show that has Americans hooked. Without these two, there would be no Empire.

However, the new season is not without its flaws. The songs are not up to the same standard as the ones from the first season. For example, one of the feature songs literally sounds like a bunch of noise that was put together in an hour or less. So far, it’s the only song Howard has performed this season but it’s already predicting a grim future for the music of the show. This doesn’t even compare to the one he sang last year, “You’re So Beautiful,” which was a catchy home run that captivated millions. Another standout from last year was the same song performed by Jamal and Hakeem (Bryshere Gray/Yazz). Unfortunately, nothing quite compares this season.

All we can do is pray that this is just a rough start and not a musical number that will foreshadow what’s to come from the show.