Album- G I R L
Artist- Pharrell
Williams
After becoming a prominent force in the music market in 2013
with his role as a featured artist and producers, Pharrell Williams has fully
stepped into the limelight in 2014 as an artist in his own right. G I R L finds
Pharrell giving us a collection of funk dance tunes that are meant to be a
celebration of females and a firm tribute to the ladies, and attempts to see
the singer continues his current streak of hit music. But is this an album that
has been worth the wait, or does this artist actually not deliver when it comes
to a full solo album?
Track 1- Marilyn
Monroe
Kicking things off is bold track Marilyn Monroe, a song that
blends funky rhythms with a grand string arrangement. Here we find Pharrell
comparing his lover to an array of historic female figures, and telling her
that none of them compare to her brilliance and power. The song definitely
kicks sings of powerfully and sets the record’s celebratory tone, with the
catchy chorus being strengthened by the use of historical referencing that just
comes across as really catchy. The blend of funky beats with strings makes for
a powerful sound, with the string arrangement coming courtesy of well-known
composer Hans Zimmer and providing a cinematic feel to the albums beginning.
Vocally Pharrell is smart and smooth, with the artist utilising his falsetto
well and creating a record that definitely exudes this sense of women as just
being great. Aside from the presence of Kelly Osbourne in the middle which is
just plain weird, this is a strong opening that is fun and should have you in a
good mood, ready for the rest of the album.
3.5/5
Track 2- Brand New (duet
with Justin Timberlake)
The first of two duets on the record, Brand New finds
Pharrell teaming up with fellow singer Justin Timberlake for a clattering funk
affair that is all about the two artists telling their respective loves of how
grateful they are, with the singer’s apparently feeling brand new because of
their partner’s love. Vocally things are definitely great, as the two singers
blend together really well, as their falsettos just smoothly combine and really
compliment each other. The rattling percussion and use of saxophone makes for a
happy, soul funk sound that puts you in a good mood. The problem with the song
is that lyrically it is just too repetitive, and feels like it is building up
to this big moment that never arrives. As such it is just an ok number that
sadly feels a bit like a reject from Timberlake’s The 20/20 Experience.
2.5/5
Track 3- Hunter
Featuring more of a harsher guitar riff for the funk style,
Hunter finds Pharrell giving us a song that feels more greatly embedded in a
classic disco sound. But whilst the disco sound is fun and intriguing, other elements
of the song make you question who Pharrell is an artist. If this album is meant
to be a celebration of women, then this isn’t the best track to add to the
record, with Pharrell bordering on being sleazy as he tells this girl of how he
is going to hunt her down and his sex is good. Once again the lyrics are too
repetitive, and the only way that Pharrell salvages the song is through the
quirky style of the vocal performance, which shows off more range and finds the
singer changing up things from his falsetto style to some brashy, shouting
vocals that are fun and commanding.
3/5
Track 4- Gush
Keeping in line with the bordering on sleazy quality of the
previous track, Gush finds Pharrell in a state of imagining things and being
captivated by this girl. The use of falsetto is strong and Pharrell really
brings out the sensuality of the track nicely, but sometimes the track is just
lyrically awkward, particularly when Pharrell tells his girl of how he wants to
feel dirty. It makes you question just what this album is about if it is meant
to be a tribute to the ladies, and overall things just feel like Pharrell is
trying too hard to be sexy. The string section in the middle is nice, but
production wise the song is also poor, as the funky guitar riffs and snappy
beats are over familiar and make Pharrell seem like a one trick pony.
2.5/5
Track 5- Happy
Currently dominating charts worldwide, Happy is a handclap
heavy, toe tapping number all about Pharrell being in this euphoric state,
where he asks us to clap along and just revel in his happiness if we feel like
we are in this state of joy as well. The song is undeniably blissful and
catchy, but after hearing it so many times the repetitive nature of the lyrics
and the smiley, shiny sentiment can come across as too cheesy. However vocally
Pharrell makes things fun and light with his great use of falsetto, and with
the groovy feel of the production, Happy is a song that can still make you feel
good, even if it may be a little annoying. However, I also feel that the song
is a strange addition to a record that is quite sensual, and so whilst it is a
nice track, it just sounds too out of place and should have stayed as simply the
theme song to Despicable Me 2.
3.5/5
Track 6- Come Get It
Bae
Another hand clap heavy tune that also has a slight country
vibe about the production, Come Get It Bae is a fun number that finds Pharrell
teaming up with another fellow star of 2013, Miley Cyrus. The song finds the
two artists sensually telling each other to come and get it, because they have
that love that they need. Again, we can question what Pharrell means if this is
meant to be a record to celebrate women. However, vocally things work really
well, and what is nice about this song is that the two artists vocally blend
together nicely, but Miley also isn’t just simply there to provide a hook for a
track, unlike some other current, female pop stars. The clattering tones of the
production also provide a slight variation on the funk style, giving us a nice
touch of diversity to the record and keeping you invested in the album.
3.5/5
Track 7- Gust of Wind
Gust of Wind finds Pharrell teaming up with mysterious
electronic duo and previous collaborators Daft Punk for a powerfully euphoric
tune all about Pharrell being captivated and over powered by the amazingness of
this woman, and the way that he needs to feel and breathe this woman. The song
is another really great collaboration from this team that features this really
grand chorus, whilst the vocals are strong in the way that Pharrell builds up
his performance to make things seem really passionate. The production is just
stellar, with the disco guitar riffs and snappy beats being complimented by the
frenzied strings and Daft Punks heavily Auto Tuned vocals, giving a song that
feels like an old school classic, and which is also thoroughly modern, and
hopefully this just gets released as a single.
4/5
Track 8- Lost Queen
(includes hidden interlude Freq)
With Lost Queen Pharrell begins to divert from a funk pop
production. Instead we are treated to a song that is a bit more experimental,
with the song initially featuring this weird production style with warped
background vocals and a scattered rhythm that is intriguing to listen to.
Vocally Pharrell keeps things light and sweet, with the lyrics focusing on
Pharrell telling this girl of her brilliance and asking if he can just serve
her, as she is like a lost queen to him. The song then develops nicely into the
sensual and sophisticated interlude Freq, as Pharrell tells us of how you have
to go inward to experience the outer space. This diverging into a smooth RnB
style is really great, and this two part song is a great way for a bit of experimentation
to come into the album. Vocally the interlude is also great, as American singer
Jojo provides some lush female background vocals that compliment Pharrell’s
voice and just elevates the essence of sensuality, making for a song that you
can just chill along to and really enjoy.
3.5/5
Track 9- Know Who You
Are (duet with Alicia Keys)
Another more traditionally based RnB tune with a slight
reggae tinge to the production, Know Who You Are finds the artist teaming up
with American singer songwriter Alicia Keys for a duet all about the two
artists telling each other of how the relationship is good, and how they know
exactly who the other person is and how they feel. The song should work better
with such high calibre artists, but just comes across as trying too hard to be
an uplifting anthem, whilst the traditional style just gives the song a middle
of the road feel. The vocals are on point but don’t blend together well, and
for the most part you are just left wanting more.
2.5/5
Track 10- It Girl
Closing track It Girl takes us back to more of a funk pop
sound, and finds Pharrell telling this girl of how she is his girl for life and
the destination that he wants to be at. It is a lyrical sentiment that at this
point just feels too typical, and the smooth quality of the vocal performance
now doesn’t charm you in the same way. The funky disco beats also sound bland
and too predictive, giving us a final track that makes you glad things are
over.
2/5
Final Review
In 2013 Pharrell Williams definitely had everything going
for him. But if this is the long awaited second studio album that was meant to
push him into the spotlight and show that he is an artist in his own right,
then some serious work should have been done. Whilst not a terrible album,
things on the whole feel very hit and miss. Sometimes the collaborations work,
sometimes they sound bland. Sometimes the lyrics are catchy, sometimes they are
annoyingly over repetitive. And whilst the vocals and production are solidly
composed throughout, the songs do tend to sound a bit too similar and can sort
of merge into one. G I R L is not the album that you wanted from such a
producer who is meant to be really hitting the big time, with a handful of
songs working. Also, if this is meant to be a tribute to the ladies, then I
seriously question the whole Pharrell as the perfect gentleman persona.
4.5/10
Best Track- Gust of
Wind
Worst Track- It Girl
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