Album- On Your Radar
Artist- The Saturdays
Being a girl band in today’s music industry seems to be a
really difficult prospect, as there are some any potential groups trying to
break the market, and unfortunately many just don’t work, with groups like
Girls Can’t Catch, Dolly Rockers and Parade being examples of one hit wonders
and the ability for girl groups to really rise and then just crash and burn.
But there are also many girl groups who have gone on to amazing success, and
right now The Saturdays are definitely one of those groups and one of the
leading girl bands, with twelve UK top tens under their belt (including a
recent number one hit) and three top ten albums. However, their third studio
album On Your Radar is definitely a sort of blot on their music record, as the
album only reached position 23 on the album charts in the UK compared to the
top ten placing of their previous records. In looking at this record I aim to
see whether it was right to chart in such a low position compared to previous
efforts, or whether the wider public was just missing out on a good album.
Track 1- All Fired Up
Second single and album opener All Fired Up is a stomping
electro pop and dance pop track that is all about feeling alive and just
getting the listener in the mood to party and dance. Produced by pop music
maestros Xenomania, the song lyrically is full of catchy hooks and repeated
patterns that get stuck into your head, and what is interesting about the track
is that it doesn’t follow the traditional verse chorus verse chorus form of
most songs, and is much more interesting because of these. Vocals are probably
the weakest element of the track, as although harmonies are nice, there is a
lot of Auto Tune going on within the track and this can feel annoying at times,
but at times the auto tune does sort of work with the dance vibes of the
tracks. The vibrant dance beats and the way the song wavers in intensity
throughout is infectious, giving us a solid and fun dance pop number that also
nicely shows ability of the girls to try different genres.
3.5/5
Track 2- Notorious
A playful electro and dance pop number, lead single
Notorious has a feisty bass heavy beat within the production and features the
girls in a vocally and lyrically confident frame of mind. Lyrically the track
has a catchy chorus and focuses on the girls working hard but also having this
naughty side that guys should be aware of, making the song more of an appealing
track for the group’s female fans. Vocally things are once again ok but suffer
from Auto Tune, with some members seemingly showing their ability to produce a
good vocal more than others. However, what the song lacks in vocals is made up
for in the stomping beats of the songs sound that gives the group a slightly
edgier sound and makes the song one of those fun number that is like an
addictive song to dance to.
3.5/5
Track 3- Faster
Another up tempo dance pop number, faster is a little more
intense than the two previous offerings and features the girls in a more
romantic frame of mind, as they lyrically apologise to their lovers and
emphasise that they need them because they make their hearts beat faster. The
song features a big pop chorus and the build intensity from the verses to the
chorus is really good to listen to, although at times things can feel a bit
clichéd and typical pop. Things are vocally stronger within this track, with
the Auto Tune still coming into effect but not feeling as blatant and
potentially annoying, and most of the girl bands members do show their vocal
ability to great effect. The hard edged dance beats of the track and the
intensity of the sound acts as a perfect sound to compliment the lyrics, and is
also a good sound in the way that it is a bit more simplistic and less frenzied
than the previous offerings, and I think this would have made a good choice for
a single.
3.5/5
Track 4- My Heart
Takes Over
The records first ballad and third single, My Heart Takes
Over is a powerful and synth driven track with a glittery pop sheen. The track
focuses on the girls asking their man that if things are to end then they must
end now, but if there is a glimmer of hope then the girl’s hearts will take
over. The song is similar to the previous track in terms of the slightly
annoying clichés but strong pop chorus and nice build to a really powerful
chorus. The vocals are much stronger here, with great harmonies and some real
vocal prowess from members Rochelle Humes and Vanessa White, although the
heavily Auto Tuned bridge and the end of the final chorus is just unnecessary
and annoying. Production wise the song feature light synths and a steady bass
beat that makes for a passionate and dramatic sound to nicely compliment the
lyrical and vocal substance of the track, and giving us a well-rounded track
that brings diversity to the record.
3.5/5
Track 5- Get Ready,
Get Set
After the passion and drama of My Heart Takes Over we go
back to the fun loving, get you on the dance floor side of the group with Get
Ready, Get Set, another song produced by Xenomania and the first track on the
album to feature co-writes from each of the band members. The song has a sensual
edge to the lyrics as the girls tell these guys that they can be great for them
and they better be ready, because what these girls want they definitely get.
The lyrics are clichéd but work in terms of the build from the flirtatious
verses to the full on chorus, and although Auto Tune once again slightly
hinders the vocals, the girls are good within this track in terms of bringing a
vibrant personality through within their vocals. Production wise Xenomania
create a stomping dance floor ready sound that is quite frenzied and is
designed (and succeeds) to get you up and jumping, although the track sadly
lacks the finesse and power of Xenomania’s other track on the record All Fired
Up.
3.5/5
Track 6- The Way You
Watch Me (featuring Travie McCoy)
Continuing to show their playful, fun and flirtatious sides,
The Way You Watche Me is a smooth pop jam which focuses on the girls telling
guys that they will choose them, and that they are kind of helpless as they
watch them do their thing on the dance floor and throughout life. The track is
vocally stronger as Auto Tune is less noticeable and the lilting tone of the
track makes for a fun listen, whilst the play off vibe between the girls and
guest artist Travie McCoy is great to listen to, with McCoy providing snappy
and memorable raps throughout the track. The chorus is simple but catchy, and
the tracks sound nicely utilises some great guitar riffs and a more organic
feeling sound, making this a song that would have served nicely as a single to
show a different side of the group.
3.5/5
Track 7- For Myself
Another song that features co-writes from the group, For
Myself is a forceful, electro pop orientated track that lyrically focuses on a
turbulent relationship where fighting seems to be at the centre of the
relationship, but at the end of the day you still just want to keep that
person. The theme is interesting, but sadly the way that soft verses build to a
feisty chorus doesn’t work in the same way that other tracks have, and the
chorus lacks the fun, memorable quality that the previous tracks had. The
vocals are smooth and Vanessa White gives us some nice ad libs in the before
the final chorus, but the songs features a bit too much Auto Tune and lacks
personality, whilst the production features a bass heavy sound that is just ok,
and which feels like the group are trying to be too current.
2/5
Track 8- Do What You
Want With Me
From the forcefulness of For Myself we enter into more
sensual and almost ethereal sounding territory with Do Want You Want With Me, a
song that is still forceful in its own right, bit which has a tota;ly different
essence and more exciting quality than the previous track. Lyrically the track
focuses on the girls singing of how they cannot control their passion and love,
and how there respective men can do what they want with them because the really
believe and trust in this relationship. The lyrics are good in terms of the
passionate tone of the track, with the chorus being catchy in its sincere and
simplistic tone. Vocally this is a strong offering as there is more layers to
this track, with the girls showing more power within the verses and then going
into airy tones within the chorus, which is a smart and excellent change from
the former tracks. The track features a light pop sound infused with dubstep
driven beats to create the crazy, powerful sound. But what is great here is
that the song doesn’t feel like a pop song where dubstep is just thrown in to
be current, but it feels more like a song that just naturally suits a dubstep
edge, and a song that is just powerful, light and catchy.
4/5
Track 9- Promise Me
Promise Me takes things back to more of a dance pop
orientated sound and an up tempo, get up and moving vibe, with the track
definitely being a song more suited to the girls female fans. Lyrically the
track focuses on the idea of boys who promise to do things but then just do what they want and just don’t live up
to their promises, so the girls are just going to go and party without them.
The forceful and angst driven lyrics are catchy, and the brush off chorus is
fun, but the track is vocally hindered because of the use of Auto Tune, as we
get more of a robotic girl band, and the use of the tool makes it feel like
they aren’t actually invested in what they are singing. The songs features a
punchy, vibrant dance pop sound with simple but catchy beats, but the sound is
a little questionable in terms of the middle section, which features a dubstep
heavy breakdown, and which I feel is something that only individual listeners
can decide for themselves whether it is catchy or whether it is trying to jump
on a current trend.
3/5
Track 10- Wish I
Didn’t Know
Another ballad from the group, Wish I Didn’t Know is an
emotionally powerful track that lyrically focuses on the idea of the girls
seeing a former lover being happy with someone else, and wishing they didn’t know
the current situation of that ex and just wanting to wash away the fact they were
once so happy. Lyrically this is definitely one of the more polished and sophisticated
efforts within the record, with song having a touching purity that adds to the
songs catchy quality. The song features a nice blend of twinkling piano
melodies with stomping drums and a full on chorus that brings out the passion
of the track. And whilst it is in some ways a typical pop ballad, the typicality’s
of the track are ok in this instance, because for once we get to see the group
actually sing, with Auto Tune moments only helping the track, and all members
are great here in show some vocal ability and emphasising that they are a good
girl band.
3.5/5
Track 11- White Lies
White Lies takes things back to a more upbeat state and finds
the album at its most full on pop state. Here the girls sing about finally
coming to the point in a relationship where you have to let yourself go and
talk about the white lies that might exist, and get past them. The song
features a strong pop chorus that is really catchy, with the use of the colour
imagery giving a great metaphorical twist to the lyrics that adds to the fun of
the song. With the upbeat dance beats of the production and the bouncy sound of
the track there is an infectious quality to the song, and vocally the group
blend together well and make the song fun of joyful, jump around personality
that is great to listen to. White Lies is a song that reminds you of this girl
bands roots, particularly in terms of the brilliant pop sound, which is only
expected when it was penned by hit makers of Carl Falk and Rami Yacoub, responsible
for the early career hits of one Britney Spears, and who are responsible for
most of One Directions current hits. It’s just a shame that this pop gem shines
on an album that is predominantly mixed with other genres, and makes it feel
like a song that just proves this group should always maintain a strong pop
sheen to their work.
3.5/5
Track 12- Last Call
The records final ballad, Last Call is different to the
records other ballads in terms of its purity and simplicity, as the song finds
the girls just singing over piano instrumentation. The song finds the girls in
that state of a break up where you look back on the relationship and realise
that you need to let go off this person, but it is so difficult to do so. Like
the previous ballad the song is structured very nicely lyrically and is nice to
listen to in its pure and simplistic tone, and even more so than the previous
ballad are we actually shown a girl band who can sing well and harmonise
beautifully, with Auto Tune finally being stripped away for good. Keeping the
production light piano makes this a more powerful song, and this is potentially
the best try at a really good pop ballad that the group have produced.
3.5/5
Track 13- I Say Ok
I Say OK is another track on the album that has a strong,
light pop sound, although the production does have a slinky, electro pop tone
as well. The song is fun and flirtatious in terms of the lyrics, with the girls
focusing on not caring about what others think or say and just doing what they
want because to them it is ok. The confidence of the song is fun to listen to
and the almost venom like quality of the lyrics is cool and a bit different,
with the Simon Cowell reference being a great pop culture moment in the lyrics.
The production is snappy and fun, but yet again this is a song where things are
ruined by the vocal quality, as Auto Tune comes back to full effect on this number
and just gives an annoying, robotic effect that feels like a complete waste of
time.
2.5/5
Track 14- Move On U
Final track Move On U is another slinky, electro pop number,
but with a bit more of a dance edge and a sensual tone to the lyrics and
vocals. The song focuses on the girls telling these guys that they are going to
make a move on them because they like the way they look and express themselves.
The flirtatious quality of the lyrics and the simplicity of the chorus makes
for a catchy tune, and the way the production dips from these smooth electro
rhythms in the verses to a more frenzied sound in the chorus is great to listen
to. But vocally Auto Tune ruins things once again, and if anything this just
ends the album on the note of what is wrong with the group, their label, their
producers, and anyone who is potentially involved in some way in the vocal side
of the record.
3/5
Final Review
On Your Radar is a solid pop offering from The Saturdays
that sees them delve into a range of genres to good effect, particularly in
terms of the dance edge of All Fired Up and the dubstep quality of Do Want You
Want With Me. With solid pop choruses, infectious personality’s and catchy
production, each of the tracks on the record work nicely. That being said, the
record is also marred by such things as clichéd statements, sometimes a lack of
identity, and most importantly, vocals, which seem to always need the Auto Tune
button when they really don’t. I don’t think this album should have performed
worse than their previous efforts, yet with the problems this record has, I can
see peoples frustrations with the group, and I only hope that with their next
record things are kept a bit eclectic but also a bit simpler in terms of sound,
and that we actually get to hear some nice vocals rather than Auto Tuned ones.
5.5/10
Best Track- Do What
You Want With Me
Worst Track- For
Myself
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