Monday 14 October 2013

Song of the Week- 14th October 2013





















Song of the Week- I Hope by Rebecca Ferguson, from the album Freedom

Rebecca Ferguson is definitely an example of the great success that can come from just even appearing on a music talent show. After finishing in second place on the 2010 series of X Factor, the singer went on two release her critically acclaimed album Heaven, which was certified two times platinum in the UK and charted in a number of worldwide territories. Yet for me she didn't get the full attention she deserved, having a soulful tone, a lyrical honesty and a all-round beautiful essence that matches with some of todays high rolling female musicians, most prominently Adele. I Hope marks the singers comeback in a way after a some time away from media attention, and whilst the track definitely keeps in line with her previous soul pop orientated work, their is for me a new intensity with this song, and it just has that awesome dramatic power that keeps you interested, and is a great way to start off the campaign for her new record. The song finds Ferguson lyrically coming to the realisation that she has too let go of the past and wishes the best for a past lover. Lyrics are always a strong point when this singer is concerned, and I Hope is no exception, with the verses being vulnerable and controlled with ease, whilst the chorus for the most part focuses on the repetition of I Hope which acts as an impressive and interesting hook. Vocally the song finds Ferguson on fine form, with her smooth tone putting the listener at ease, whilst she also brings a passion to the words that shows she is really invested in what she is singing about, and the gospel elements of the chorus add that extra fire power of catchiness to the track. What is most interesting for me with this new track is the production, which features a looping drum beat that acts as the intense backbone of the track sonically, whilst lush piano melodies bring out the potential vulnerability of some of the lyrics. The sound isn't necessarily a big change for the singer, but there is a subtle forcefulness to the songs overall sound that feels fresh, as if Ferguson is simply telling her listener that she has really grown between albums in a sophisticated, very interesting way, and this subtle edge is also great in that you really become more invested with the track after repeated listens. A stunning, stellar track that I am hoping will get into the UK top ten, fingers crossed, and a song that gets me excited for Freedom.

Tuesday 1 October 2013

Whitney Houston- I Look to You Album Review


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Album- I Look to You

Artist- Whitney Houston

With a career that spanned more than 20 years and the release of such mega music hits as I Wanna Dance with Somebody and I Will Always Love You, Whitney Houston was the amazing voice that inspired a generation, before her sad passing in 2012. Her last studio album before her death, I Look to You saw Whitney make a triumphant comeback, as the record saw her best first week sales in the US and hit number one on the Billboard 200. Critical reception to the record was a little mixed due to the change found in Whitney’s voice, but many also praised the vitality of the record. So the question is, was this really a great final record that proved the singer could still give other music stars a run for their money, or was this more just a simply nice Houston album that people bought because they were glad to get some new music from the singer?

Track 1- Million Dollar Bill

The lead single worldwide from the record, the second US single, and the last single released by Houston before her death, Million Dollar Bill is a fun up tempo pop number with a soulful edge and funky dance groove. Co-written by fellow RnB artist Alicia Keys, the track finds Houston telling people to make some noise if there lover makes them feel good, with the song acting as a nice metaphorical celebration of the power of new love. Although the verses are a little wobbly vocally, the chorus is powerful and full of a vivacity that is infectious to listen to, whilst Houston gives us enough diva ad libs to emphasise that she has still got it. The production is also strong with the clattering cymbals and funky disco beats that make for a fun loving sound to perfectly match the vocals, giving us an all-round enjoyable tune that show Whitney can still mak you want to dance.

3.5/5

Track 2- Nothin’ But Love

Keeping with the dance energy of the opening track, Nothin’ But Love is another up tempo record you can move around to, but this time the singers voice is paired with a little bit more of a contemporary sound, although this doesn’t mean it compromises who Houston is as an artist. The song is quite powerful but sweet lyrically, as Houston shouts out to the people she loves and expresses how she is full of joy and love and won’t let anyone, or herself, bring her down. The layering of the singer’s voice brings euphoria to the track, whilst the richness of her tone makes the song vocally very believable, with the note she holds in the bridge making this a truly powerful, musical statement. The hand clapping beats of the production is a steady if typical RnB sound, but when this is an artist whose primary tool is her incredible voice, you can forgive the lack of originality in the production value.

3.5/5

Track 3- Calling You Tonight

Produced by Swedish duo Stargate, known for creating hit songs for the likes of Rihanna and Beyonce, Calling You Tonight is slightly softer offering from the singer that features the Swedish duo’s signature guitar riffs and light pop sound. The song acts as a nice love song where Houston tells her lover that she will call him tonight as soon as she gets home, as she is busy but she needs her lover to know that she does indeed love him. The song is nice vocally in the way that the singers voice has this smooth but also vibrant various in tone that gives a lilting and cute tone to the track. Lyrically things are a bit too clichéd, but whilst the production is typical of Stargate, they still manage to keep things vibrant with the euphoric tone of the songs sound and the slightly fuzzy sounding bass that makes the track a little more energising and less power lacking.

Track 4- I Look to You

The records title track and lead single, as well as the first ballad, I Look to You is powerful and dramatic musical piece that definitely proves the Whitney Houston could make a stirring ballad whatever stage of life she was in. The song finds the singer telling this person of how she can be strong with them by her side and how they have helped her through her struggles, with the lyrics being beautifully constructed and having the powerful quality of the listening relating to the song in a variety of different ways. The minimal production with the soft synths and lush piano instrumentation gives a great sound to the track, but ultimately what makes this track is Houston’s voice. It may be a little deeper in tone and less dramatic than in previous years, but Houston has that voice that exudes emotion whilst maintaining a smoothness that is classic and timeless. A worthy title track, a worthy single and a lush ballad.

5/5

Track 5- Like I Never Left (featuring Akon)

Featuring the voice of RnB star Akon and the first of two writing credits from Houston, Like I Never Left is bouncy RnB jam with a slight island feel that finds Houston regretting a decision that she made in the past and just asking her lover to take her back as if she had never gone. The song shows of some softness in Houston’s vocals, with the singers lilting tone and layered vocals giving the song this purity and sincerity that is lovely to listen to. Akon isn’t the strongest vocalist but his feature on the song gives the track a nice two fold narrative edge, and with the snappy but soft production with the flowing flute sounds and steady percussion, this is a light pop and RnB tune showing a different side to Whitney within the record.

3.5/5

Track 6- A Song for You

A cover of a song originally by recording artist Leon Russell, A Song for You is a stirring track that focuses on Whitney telling an estranged lover of how she has lived life but understands her wrongs and now just wishes for this persons forgiveness, desperately. Beginning with a slow piano intro, the track develops from a stirring ballad to an up tempo dance tune that shows that the singer is also still the queen of creating emotional tunes that still sound great in a club setting. The punchy disco beats and vibrant sound of the track is infectious, whilst Houston’s vocals are smooth and emotive, making this another great addition to the Houston wheelhouse.

3.5/5

Track 7- I Didn’t Know My Own Strength

Written by award winning songwriter Diane Warren, I Didn’t Know My Own Strength is another emotional ballad from the singer that finds the singer telling us off how she has overcome the obstacles and hard times of life and find herself in state of being strong and not letting pressure get to her, whilst being astonished in sincere way of how she didn’t know her own strength. With Houston’s struggles being well publicised, the purity and power of this song lyrically is much more powerful, with the singer once again giving us a vocal that is full of control and power and which makes the song so emotive and passionate, but not in a too indulgent way. The simple percussion and lush string arrangement, as well as the delicate piano melody makes for a strong and perfect sound to the record, and once again this is just a record that beautifully delivers on the ballad front.

4/5

Track 8- Worth It

A mid tempo RnB jam, Worth It is a sweet song that finds Houston singing of how great love is and how there are certain ways that you know a relationship and the love that is created is totally worth it. The song acts a nice celebration of love wrapped within a strong lyrical composition that is full of catchy hooks, and with the controlled but light vocal performance that is created through the layering of Houston’s vocals and way that the singer naturally carries herself, the track is another tune where the listener feels that Houston is totally sincere. The songs production is a little bit bland after a while, but the steady percussion is enough of light sound to bring out the tracks sweetness, and Houston’s vocal ad libs keep you interested tiil the end.

3.5/5

Track 9- For the Lovers

Bringing back a full on dance groove, For the Lovers is a vibrant RnB and dance pop tune that features some forceful but fun synthesised beats and a sassy, confident vocal performance from Houston. The lyrical content of the song is perhaps a little weak in terms of the way that the song finds Houston telling people that this song is for them, something we just heard a lot of on the last tarck. However, the lyrics also brush off people who bring hate into the world and also nicely creates this catchy, confident air, with the moments where Houston sings of single people believing in love really bringing out the free flowing vibrancy of the track. Vocally Houstons deep vocals bring passion and power to the track that makes the lyrics more impactful, and with a synth based sound that is just infectious, this for me would have been a worthy single choice from the record.

3.5/5

Track 10- I Got You

Another Akon collaboration, I Got You is another island tinged track that focuses on Houston singing of how her man is all she needs and how no matter where he is, he needs to know that she is there for him, just like he is there for her. The message is sweet if perhaps a bit clichéd, with Houston giving us vocal runs and licks that a vibrant and emotive for this too sound like a track she is fully invested in. The fuzzy synth notes, interesting guitar riffs and vibrant percussion creates a stomping, but light and strong sound for the track, although things are perhaps a little excessive, so for me this just feels like the weakest offering from the record at this point, meaning that the fact that the next track is the final one might be a good thing.

3/5

Track 11- Salute

Final track Salute is a mid tempo ballad esque number which was written by RnB maestro R. Kelly. The song finds the singer finding strength and being a woman who can stand on her own and doesn’t need this man in her life. The song is lyrically good in terms of the bitter but stronger sentiment, but the lyrics are definitely improved with the singer’s vocal performance, with Houston giving us some great ad libs and keeping this smooth and powerful without having to stretch her voice out in an unnecessary way. The military drum beat and light piano notes of the productions gives the song a light and smooth sound that is still a strong way to end the record, and this is just a smooth way to end things, and end them on a good note.

Final Review

I Look to You is in my eyes an accomplished record from a phenomenal artist that acts as a very good final album. I can identify with the fact that Houston’s voice changed from her early years, but the richness and new, deep level of her voice is a change that brings substance to the tracks and keeps you interested in this artist. The album is also refreshing in terms of bringing us an album that sounds like classic Whitney but which also feels fresh and modern, and definitely an album which at the time would have seen the singer kick down some of her competitors. It is a really good record, and sadly acts like another stamp on the fact that it is terribly sad we have lost this artist.


8/10


Best Track- I Look to You

Worst Track- I Got You