Album- ORA
Artist- Rita Ora
The rising star of 2012 was deemed as the next Rihanna and
definitely was one of the biggest successes in the 2012 music scene. She
recently stated that her second studio album will definitely have more of a
clear direction. But does that mean that her first album is actually not very
good, or is its varying sound an indication that she is simply an artist who
can transfer herself into different sounds.
Track 1- Facemelt
This intro to the album is a short track that has a powerful
sound and emphasises that Ora is all about really capturing your attention. As
an intro it really does work, with the lyrics being aggressive and ear grabbing
whilst vocally Ora plays to this lyrical message and gets powerful. The
production is also kinetic and frenzied, emphasising that it’s all about a
sound that will grab you.
3.5/5
Track 2- Roc the Life
The second track continues on from that attention grabbing,
ready to be performed live state of mind and, as the song title suggests,
features a very rocky sound compared to the rest of the album. As soon as the
drums kick in you know that this is a track that will sound great live, and
that incessant drum beat gives a great energy to the track overall, backed by
some cool electric guitar. Lyrically the song feels fresh, with slight pop
sensibilities that despite this blend well with the rock sound. And whilst the
repeated stresses of the l on the life are very annoying, vocally Ora is on
point, although it could have perhaps worked best if she had really dung deep
and gone a little bit crazier vocally, giving the track a big finish that it
kind of misses.
3/5
Track 3- How We Do
(Party)
Unlike the previous track this is a firmly pop affair. It
definitely could be a sweet pop song like Jessie J’s Domino or any Katy Perry
Teenage Dream era single, but with the “party and bullshit” refrains it’s given
some urban pizazz. Vocally Ora adopts the playful persona that is enveloped
within the track, and the drum beats and overall production just elevate the
overall frivolous sound. The lyrics might be a little bit clichéd in terms of
party ideologies but it’s simplicity make it a pleasant listening, with the How
We Do hook emphasising how the track is all about just having fun.
3.5/5
Track 4- R.I.P
(featuring Tinie Tempah)
As the chorus is introduced from the beginning and is
instantly memorable, you can be sure that this is the highlight of the album. Written
by Drake the track really taps into that idea of trying to get someone to
forget another relationship, and has a sexual edge that shows that Ora is here
to stay. The urban influences also give the track a gritty feels, with Ora
vocally adopting that sexy persona and making the listener really pay
attention. And in terms of production it is superb, with electronic undertones
and are really hard hitting, aggressive sound. And the Nneka “Heartbeat” sample
before the chorus is great in building the track towards a real epic and
memorable chorus that you can’t really help but sing along to. The Tempah
feature is fun and light if just perhaps a little unnecessary.
4/5
Track 5- Radioactive
This is the most dance influenced record on the album and
very much feels like a club ready track. The production features heavy
synthesised beats that are so propulsive they command you to jump around and
dance to them. And this really helps elevate the lyrics of the track with their
powerful if slightly obscure message. Co-written by 2012 hit makers Sia and
Greg Kurstin they feel very simplistic but at the same time deep and hard to
understand, particularly cause the chorus is so very crowd orientated and the
verses so relationship orientated. But the chorus is so purely powerful that
you can’t help but put your “palms to the sky” and “unite”. And vocally this is
one of the best in showing that Ora has some real fire power in her voice.
4/5
Track 6- Shine Ya
Light
This empowering number is an electronic offering that has
RnB and reggae flavourings. With the empowering theme of the song the lyrics
are just that tad too heard before, done better before, but vocally Ora gives
it all she’s got, giving an almost sultry quality to the verses before going
into a powerful chorus that is lighters in the air ready. The production also
works well, with clattering drum beats that enforce the positivity of the track
and subtle electronic moments that gives a kind of tidal wave velocity to the
song.
3.5/5
Track 7- Love and War
(featuring J. Cole)
This is the most RnB flavoured track but also one of the
weakest as it feels just that little bit unsuited to Ora. The lyrics explore
the idea of the tug of war that is relationship and whilst the chorus is really
simple in terms of exclaiming that she doesn’t want to fight anymore it feels
very much that any artist could have recorded the song. And the vocals are just
a bit bland, not having that true sense of emotion that permeates some of the
other tracks and being annoyingly distorted in the beginning. The J. Cole
feature is a nice twist in the song in giving a kind of two folded story edge
to the chorus, and the production gives a steady beat that keeps the track
ticking along, even if it doesn’t grab your attention.
2/5
Track 8- Uneasy
Another slightly rock tinged track but definitely more in
tone than sonically, this is definitely the worst song on the record, as it just
feels sloppy and very all over the place. It also feels like Ora is trying to
be very in your face vocally, put it just doesn’t work and almost makes her
feel like a bit of a bratty teenager. The chorus consists of one simple
repeated line, and because of this is so boring you just think did she even
bother trying to make a good track. The production allows for a not terrible
listen, with the a cool background beat that just makes it a tolerable listen.
1/5
Track 9- Fall in Love
This is one of those tracks where you listen and can’t
decide whether it’s just stupid or is actually a good song, as I found myself
thinking. The verses are more subtle vocally and heartfelt both lyrically and
vocally, although the vocal auto tune is perhaps unnecessary. However when the
chorus kicks in it feels just that bit too frenzied and not a comfortable
listen, with the lyrics being over repetitive and the production cool but at
the same time a bit too annoying and aggressive. Although there is definitely
great beats that like the Radioactive track are propulsive, they are also
sometimes just too kinetic and powerful, definitely an example of how sometimes
less is indeed more. And the will.i.am feature will just completely go over
your head.
2.5/5
Track 10- Been Lying
This more down tempo record offers a nice change of pace
from the party atmosphere that is found throughout the offer and gives a sense
of artist vulnerability. Lyric the song works well in kind of telling story and
giving a sense of honesty, and although the chorus is simply a repetition of a
couple of lines , in this case it actually works as it gives off that true
sense of vulnerability and taps into a human psyche. And vocally it also allows
Ora to give an emotional plea, backed by steady beats that are solid and help
highlight the message whilst never overpowering it.
3.5/5
Track 11- Hello, Hi,
Goodbye
The proper end to the album aside from the DJ Fresh
collaboration is a slow, ballad number with a subtle soulful feel, although very
subtle as this is very much a pop song. Whilst a stereotypical slow end it is
definitely a stand out track and shows that Ora does have a future as an
artist, in that lyrically it has a true sense of depth and isn’t just paint by
numbers pop, with the refrain of three simple words saying everything
emotionally. And vocally she plays to the softness of the track, whilst showing
off her power and emotional investment in the final section. The rattling beats
are powerful but delicate and are perhaps a tad overpowering in the latter
section of the track but for the most point take a back seat to the potent
lyrical quality and vocal greatness.
4.5/5
Track 12- Hot Right
Now (DJ Fresh featuring Rita Ora)
This club number is a bit nothing you haven’t heard before
but also very catchy and attention grabbing. Lyrically it’s all about partying
and has that sense of fun and frivolity, and the fast paced production gives a
great energy to the track that gets you up on the dance floor, with Ora’s voice
suiting the track but not necessarily adding anything to it.
3/5
Final Review
For a debut album this is pretty good, and whilst she may
have a clearer sound for her second album, she can actually create a cohesive
record whilst delving into an array of genres with ease. There are certain
moments where the record feels bit rushed and that the songs don’t measure up
to the quality of others, but this is something that can be easily fixed and
don’t necessarily make for and uncomfortable listen. A solid and promising
start to this artist’s career.
7/10
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