Agnes- Dance Love Pop Album Review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Album- Dance Love Pop

Artist- Agnes

Swedish pop singer Agnes has been in the music industry since 2005 after winning that year of the Swedish version of Pop Idol. Yet the singer really became a major success in 2009 with the release of her hit single ‘Release Me’ that has sold over 900,000 copies worldwide. Yet the whilst the singer had the odd follow up hit in certain territories, her star has seemingly gone back to her original pop status, as she only seems to be gaining commercial success in her native country Sweden. Yet based on her proper internationally released album that saw her come back to the music stage, is this actually an artist that deserves to be much bigger than she is in terms of success?

Track 1- Release Me

Agnes’ biggest hit to date, Release Me is a vibrant dance pop tune that finds the singer blending heartfelt and emotional lyrics and vocals with a get yourself on the dance floor now sound. Lyrically the track finds the singer wishing her lover to set her free as she knows the relationship isn’t right, but she still wants and loves him and so can’t set herself free. The heartbreak but almost hopeful lyrical content gives the song a commanding presence in that in just focusing on the lyrics alone you could have easily taken this song to be a ballad. Agnes gives us a smooth and powerful vocal performance that is better than other dance pop songs in that it has this glamorous and classy quality, with the singer’s voice having an airy tone in the chorus through the use of vocal layering that makes things very appealing and catchy. The production features this vibrant blend of a heavy bass, stirring strings and great dance beats that just gives the song a polished but fun quality that will get you wanting to sing along and dance along, and so whilst this is in many ways a typical dance pop tune, the songs different elements really come together to create a glamorous, emotional and fun track that is a deserved worldwide hit.

4/5

Track 2- On and On

On and On was the albums lead single in Sweden and finds the singer once again getting us on the dance floor, but this time she is in a much happier frame of mind. The lyrics of the song find the singer focusing on the idea of how the world is a crazy place but you can cope with love, and she tells this guy that she really loves him and her love will continue forever. The song is lyrically sweet and structured well, with a catchy chorus that is made even better by Agnes’ smooth vocals that are full of energy and conveys this sense of love very nicely. However the problem for me with this track is that the production lets it down, as the dance beats are vibrant with this steady back beat, but the song doesn’t have that quality sheen of the previous track, and so if possible listen to the UK edit of this song, has that features a slightly different sound which is much better.

3.5/5

Track 3- Love Me Senseless

Love Me Senseless as more of a fine tuned dance sound that sounds better than the previous track. Here we find the singer once again in another loved up state as she asks her man to love her senseless, because he is like a dream to her. The lyrics are slightly clichéd but the singer light vocal tone makes things feel less clichéd and more believable, with the middle section nicely showing off both the fragility and the power of her voice very powerfully. The song once again blends prominent dance rhythms with stirring strings, and the club beat that acts as the backbone of the track makes this feel like a forceful but euphoric number, and so this song lacks originality but is fun and vibrant enough to be a nice dance song.

3.5/5

Track 4- How Do You Know

Based around a ‘da da do da’ hook, How Do You Know is more of a straightforward pop song with a slight bubble gum pop edge. The song finds the singer lyrically and vocally in more of a delicate frame of mind, as she is scared of life and doesn’t understand the idea of love, and questions how you can know if you are really in love. The songs message offers a nice change of pace in the record, but the chorus feels to repetitive, and at times the singer can come across as a bit of a whiny girl. The vocal performance is light and fragile and so feels very in tune with the lyrical content, although the breathy quality of the background vocals feels a bit too unoriginal. Production wise the song features simple guitar strumming and snappy pop beats that gives this airy sound to the track that makes this a chilled tune, but it doesn’t excite you in the way the first few tracks really did.

2.5/5

Track 5- I Need You Now

Things are taken down to a softer and musically organic state with this mid tempo pop ballad that finds the singer going back to this state of being powerfully in love. Here we find Agnes telling her lover how much she needs and wants him, with the singer giving us a soft vocal performance that is layered with this sweet but also pleading, emotional tone. The track utilises a mixture of strings and simple guitar strumming to give the song this potent edge, and so this is a nice track that shows a different side to Agnes, and it is a shame that this song had to be remixed into a dance format for the UK release.

3.5/5

Track 6- Look at Me Now

We are taken back to an up tempo dance state of mind with this track that finds the singer firmly moving on from a relationship. Lyrically the track is based in the idea of this relationship ending where Agnes gave her all to this man, but now things have ended she is doing great and this guy should just look at her, as he thought she would be a wreck.  The positivity of the song is infectious, but overall the lyrics don’t feel like anything we haven’t heard from other artists. This is perhaps because although the vocals are powerful and emphasise the freedom aspect of the lyrics, the vocals don’t have the forceful quality that is really need for this to be a really great break up anthem. The production features slightly more of Euro pop sound with the dance beat, and the track also has these hand clapping rhythms that make the song feel a little unique. It is a nice dance song, just not that original.

2.5/5

Track 7- Don’t Pull Your Love Out

Don’t Pull Your Love Out has a slight dance hall feel with the production, and finds the singer giving us another love based tune that offers a look at a different type of relationship. The singer asks her lover not to pull his love out and give up on the relationship, as she just wants to love him and knows they will be great together, as she believes in them so strongly. The track is nicely in the way the vocal builds towards the powerful bridge, and the emotional intensity increases in a way that makes the song feel believable. However, the lyrical quality of the track is slightly poor as there is too much repetition, and the concept feels too simple to command the listener’s attention in an exciting way. The funky dance groove of the production is nice but also perhaps a bit too simple and typical of the dance genre, and so this is another offering from the singer that once again suffers from lack of originality or an attention grabbing quality, and so by this point it seems that this factor is the singers main downfall with the whole record.

3/5

Track 8- Open Up Your Eyes

Agnes gives us another track that offers the record a bit of musical diversity, as Open Up Your Eyes has a slight 1980’s pop feel to it. Lyrically the track finds the singer wishing for a man to pay attention and realise that they would be great together, with the track having a cool honesty even if it does go through the clichés, and acts as a sort of anthem for all the guys and girls who have really fancied a friend but have stayed in the friend zone. The singer gives us a smooth vocal performance that nicely conveys the songs begging quality, making us really believe that she wants this guy. The funky groove and snappy beats of the production make this a simple pop track that has a cool dance around, would sound good in a teen movie vibe that is infectious.

3.5/5

Track 9- Sometimes I Forget

Things are slowed down for this simple pop ballad which acts as an ode to Agnes love for this guy, with the singer lyrically conveying the sentiment of how she sometimes forgets to really express her feelings, but he should just know that she really does love him. The track nicely employs a mixture of French and English, and finds the singer giving us a pure vocal performance that shows of the singers voice in a grand way. The songs production features a simple back beat and stirring strings for a nice pop ballad sound that isn’t unique but which still works and sounds powerful enough to leave some form of impression on the listener.

3.5/5

Track 10- Big Blue Wall

The record ends on a simple ballad that is a bit more potent than the previous track and finds the singer in a fragile frame of mind. Here the singer expresses her feelings of being fragile and not wanting to be hurt by love, and so she can just build herself this wall and maybe one day she might fall in love. The lyrics once again feel to prominently clichéd, but with the singers powerful voice she commands the song and gives the song this essence of delicacy. The steady rhythm of the production and the way the sound builds is great, with the use of a choir within the last choruses giving the song that final kick that makes this a good song to finish the record with.

3.5/5

Final Review

Dance Love Pop lives up to its title and finds the singer giving us cool musical offerings that will get you moving and which finds the singer always giving us the best vocally. The tracks are for the most part produced well, and Agnes definitely commands the album with a vocal presence that shows exactly why she won Swedish pop idol. However, the album largely suffers musically because of clichéd statements and a lack of original flair that would make the record stand out, and so whilst she may have had a great first international single, this album just doesn’t quite measure up to being something that could have true, worldwide commercial success.

5.5/10

Best Track- Release Me

Worst Track- How Do You Know

Kelly Rowland- Talk a Good Game Album Review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Album- Talk a Good Game

Artist- Kelly Rowland

Originally beginning her musical career as one part of the amazing girl group that was Destiny’s Child, Kelly Rowland as enjoyed mixed success as a solo artist in comparison to her girl group days. Yet that is not to say she hasn’t had a good solo career, and if nothing else she has proved that she is a credible artist in her own right. This album is her fourth studio album and finds the singer returning to her RnB roots and also providing the listener with some more personal, emotional material. As she seems really focused on this record and aims to be a strong music artist, and with her high profile role on the upcoming third season of X Factor USA, could this be the album to really elevate the singer to great commercial success?

Track 1- Freak

Opening track Freak was originally recorded by RnB singer Jamie Fox, and is an electro RnB song that features references to Michael Jacksons Thriller. The song has a sexual edge to the lyrics and focuses on the singer telling us that everyone is somebody else’s freak, and she asks if she can be this guy (or our?) freak. The song features some vibrant vocals from the singer and a nice sensual tone, with the word spoken bridge adding further sex appeal to the track. The song is also strong vocally in the way that it employs vocal similarities with the Michael Jackson song Thriller, showing that the singer does indeed mean business with this record. The frenzied electro groove of the track gives the song this nice vitality, whilst the song features this heavy bass that commands your attention, and so this is a nice song to begin the album with.

3.5/5

Track 2- Kisses Down Low

The records lead single, Kisses Down Low is a sensual RnB track that was produced by Mike Will Made It. The song lyrically focuses on Rowland telling her man of his sexual prowess and how she likes her kisses down low, with the song having this tongue in cheek quality that is quite appealing. The vocal performance is smooth and sensual, with some nice vocal layering in the chorus giving the song this light quality that gives us this contrast of a flirtatiously sweet Rowland and these very sexualised lyrics. The clattering electro rhythms of the track add to the juxtaposing sweetness of the song, whilst the heavy bass just makes the song have this forceful energy that is attention grabbing. The distorted male vocals are annoying but otherwise this is a nice RnB song that does work well in showing the singer going back to her musical roots.

3.5/5

Track 3- Gone (featuring Wiz Khalifa)

Featuring a prominent sampling of the song ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ by Joni Mitchell, gone is another RnB tinged track but with more of an adult contemporary sound and a snappy production. Rowland here is a feisty girl as she tells this guy that it is firmly over for them and he should have tried harder, with the chorus focusing on the idea of how the guy won’t know that he is missing a good thing until Kelly is gone. The feistiness of the lyrical message is offset nicely by the light tone of the track with the soft piano melodies, but the song also adds to the song feistiness in terms of the heavy bass and snappy beats. The singer gives us a smooth vocal performance that once again shows her as this sweet girl and makes the vengeance element of the track a little bit more interesting and undercutting. The only problem I have with this track is that Wiz Khalifa to me doesn’t add anything to the track and feels like a rapper put on the track just to give the song some more urban credentials.

3.5/5

Track 4- Talk a Good Game (featuring Kevin Cossum)

The records title track is a RnB tune that features a snaky but sweet sound within the production and finds the singer taking a bit of an emotional journey. The song finds the singer speaking of how she is unsure of this relationship and feels like this guy is just talk and she can’t really trust him. The song nicely focuses on that mind set of mistrust in a relationship, but also intermixes this true sense of vulnerability that makes the song more powerful. The singer’s vocal performance is quite deep and gives a smooth tone to the heartbreak qualities of the track, although at times the way the vocals are produced makes it feel like the emotion isn’t quite true. The juxtaposing quality of the production elevates the songs musical ideology and creates a sound that is also quite snappy and attention grabbing. However this track is better in terms of the previous track in the Kevin Rossum rap feature actually feels like it is their to add something to the track, with the rap giving the song a more urban flavour but also offering a tough male perspective to the lyrics that gives us this two fold edge to the narrative.

3.5/5

Track 5- Down on Love

A mid tempo RnB song, this track finds the singer in another state of emotional turmoil. The song finds the singer wishing for something more as she is in this down trodden relationship situation and can’t take it anymore. The song finds the singer in a state that is a bit too weary, with the chorus lacking the appeal of previous tracks as the lyrical content is too repetitive. The singer’s smooth vocal delivery is nice but lacks this true emotional quality and feels like she is trying too much to be this RnB diva. Furthermore, whilst the production of the track is cool with steady drum beats and almost soulful, ice cool electro melody, the sound feels a bit too familiar in the record now and so loses some its appeal here, although the way the singer unleashes some aggressive vocal power in the final chorus is a nice change

3/5

Track 6- Dirty Laundry

Here we find the singer in one of her most vulnerable states. This track was the second single from the album and finds the singer lyrically addressing personal issues such her initial jealousy of her former Destiny’s Child band mate Beyoncé as she enjoyed great solo success after the groups disbandment. The track then addresses a volatile relationship the singer was in where she suffered abuse from her partner. The singer’s addressing of such personal issues feel really powerful, and her singing has this fragile quality that makes this an emotionally loaded song. But the smoothness of the track and the repeated motif of dirty laundry highlights the therapeutic and slightly inspirational message of the track. With the production of the ballad just feature RnB jam spools and a simple piano melody the words become even more potent, and so whilst the track may not be the best sounding song Rowland has produced, the track really shows both artistic integrity and vulnerability, with the power of the track really building in the way the sound of the track progresses.

3.5/5

Track 7- You Changed (featuring Beyoncé and Michelle Williams)

Featuring both of her ex Destiny’s Child band mates Beyoncé and Michelle Williams, why this track was just classed as a Destiny’s Child tune is something you understand when you hear the song. This is because Rowland firmly takes centre stage vocally. But the song is a classic RnB number from the girls that once again finds the trio blending together beautifully. Lyrically the song simply talks about a relationship that has gone awry because the guy doesn’t realised that he has changed from what he used to be, whilst the girl has also changed and so it’s about time the relationship was changed. The songs vocals are really powerful, with the harmonisation giving the song a smooth tone, whilst each member brings some feisty vocal power to the tune. Harmony Samuels gives the song a smooth RnB tone in the production with the heavy bass and simple drumbeats, and simply allows the words and vocals to really do their work.

3.5/5

Track 8- I Remember

I Remember is prominently a ballad from the singer, but the rhythm of the track touches onto more dance driven musical genres that makes the song feel like the dance driven Rowland that emerged from her David Guetta collaboration ‘When Love Takes Over’. The song finds the singer reminiscent about when this guy loved her, giving us a sweet vocal performance that feels euphoric and light and really brings out the simple emotional intensity of the song’s lyrics. The production nicely blends some propulsive dance beats with cool techno rhythms and twinkling piano to elevate the singers charismatic and soulful vocals, and so overall this is a light track with a touch of a tribal feel and just a simple energy that works in kind of captivating you.

3.5/5

Track 9- Red Wine

Rowland experiments with 80’s funk pop on this track where she sings about how she has found love with this person and just asks them him to really let go and make the relationship really solid. The track has this romantic essence and features a silky smooth vocal performance that is a little bit sensual and which features some nice ad libs from the singer. The dreamy synths and soring style of the chorus is really great, giving the track a bit of a vintage throwback sound that is still really appealing, with the way the song simple ends on the singer singing a lot of ‘da’s’ and ‘do’s  being a cool and lovely way to end the track.

3.5/5

Track 10- This Is Love

Romantic Rowland continues with this track where we find the singer in a really happy frame of mind as this guy gets her feeling so strongly to the point where she can’t get enough of him and is floating on cloud 9. The romantic essence of the track creates a simple lyrical style within the song that feels sincere, whilst the singer gives us a vocal performance that sounds sweet and light, and also feels very emotionally invested in. The bouncy electro beats and RnB bass of the track give the track a nice blend in sound that makes for a good RnB and pop crossover song, and so it wouldn’t be surprising if this is a single release at some point.

3.5/5

Track 11- Street Life (featuring Pusha T)

The first of two tracks on the record that were produced by Pharrell, Street Life finds the singer taking a no BS attitude. The lyrics of the song focus on the singer current problems facing society and how society has kind of broken down.  The song nicely has this honesty about the lyrics that is appealing and creates an anthem for the hard working people of the real world, whilst the singer gives us a cool vocal performance that is smooth and has light tone that shows she is throwing away the troubles even though they are there. The pop music production is nice with the layers of hand drums and horn stabs, and Pusha T provides a simple but cool rap section for the middle 8 that finds him rapping about Obama and complimenting Rowland’s vocals nicely.

3.5/5

Track 12- Stand in Front of Me

Final track stand in front of me is a 50’s doo wop inspired song that acts as a ode to love. Here we find Rowland singing about how to keep your man and what her man will say about her. The lyrics have a cute quality that is appealing, and the singers light vocals have a rich texture that is a pleasure to listen to and makes you feel a bit in love when you listen. The shimmering production value of the track is really great, with the swaying drumbeat, glittering piano melody and cool strings giving the song an old school flavour that is very powerful and makes for a great final song to end the record with.

3.5/5

Final Review

Bringing herself back to her RnB musical roots but also still touching on other musical genres, Talk a Good Game is an assured effort from the singer where every song is nicely structured and doesn’t feel like filler music. The song’s lyrics are catchy and the singer gives us vocal performances that are tonally rich and powerful. And in each case the production is greatly executed. It may lack a huge big hit, but Talk a Good Game does feel like the singers most relaxed and self-assured record to date, and feels like a record that should surely be her most commercially successful.

8/10

Best Track- I Remember

Worst Track- Down on Love

 

Christina Aguilera and Cher- Burlesque Sountrack Review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Burlesque: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Artists- Christina Aguilera and Cher

It would seem that Christina Aguilera’s fate as a pop star really hangs in the balance these days: despite a successful, high profile role on the American talent show The Voice, her latest studio album Lotus performed very poorly commercially. Yet she has also enjoyed recent success with her feature on the Pitbull track ‘Feel This Moment’, which reached the top ten of many charts worldwide. Back in 2010 the singer made her acting debut as the lead in the musical film Burlesque, with her performance being met with surprise praise from critics. Aguilera performed 8 out of 10 of the numbers on the films accompanying track, with the record performing decently in the music charts, reaching gold status in the United States. So I look to the soundtrack to see why people may have loved it and whether the musical attitude she takes in this soundtrack is something she needs to transfer to her solo career. And as pop mega star Cher gears up to release her long anticapitated twenty sixth studio album, I look to see if her two music contributions should have the masses excited for her new stuff.

Track 1- Something’s Got a Hold on Me

Track number 1 is a cover of a hit song that was an Etta James classic. The song is all about this power sort of taking over the singer, with the singer pinpointing this something as love. The track follows close to the original in terms of the soulful sound and the simple production, but whilst it does feel similar to the, it still has a slight modern sheen about it that makes the song still feel relevant, with a catchy lyrical attitude that is truly infectious. The jaunty piano rhythms and great use of a choir really put the song on another level, but ultimately this cover only works because of Aguilera, as she not only nicely conveys the emotion of the track, but she has a powerful set of musical pipes on her that mean she can carry the song in the way that James did, making this sound not only like a purely great cover but a song that could have easily been an Aguilera original.

3.5/5

Track 2- Welcome to Burlesque

The first of the two Cher offerings, Welcome to Burlesque is a jaunty pop musical number that has a commanding essence about it. The song is all about the singer simply introducing people to the world of Burlesque and this awesome show that she produces. The singers powerful vocals have this dramatic flair about them that really fits with the style of the film, and with the horns, piano and strings of the production, this is just a sensual musical affair that is camp but nice to listen to and is designed well in terms of its placement within the film.

3.5/5

Track 3- Tough Lover

A short and snappy musical piece, Tough Lover is another quite organically based music piece that has a camp energy and which fits with the psyche of the film. The songs message is simply all about the singer telling us of how she needs a tough lover, and how her man is a tough lover. But whilst the song is a bit lyrically repetitive and therefore a little bland, the song is more designed to showcase Aguilera’s vocal power, as this song is designed to show how her character can sing within the film. The way that the song starts off with just the singer’s vocals gives a commanding edge to the beginning, before the jaunty piano rhythms and fun horn instruments kick in for a lively band sound that seemingly showcases the singers growing in fun and confidence. Another track that perhaps works better as a song within the film, although it nicely shows Aguilera’s flair for the big band numbers.

3.5/5

Track 4- But I’m Am a Good Girl

Another sensual and camp affair, But I’m A Good Girl finds Aguilera giving us quite the vocal performance in terms of the tone of her voice, which is lighter and patterned in a way that feels more suited for the films narrative than being her own pop song. The track is a bit of a diamonds are forever number in terms of glamour, as the singer loves the fine things but is a good girl who won’t sleep around, although she expresses this in a teasing way. The tracks bandstand production with the clattering cymbals and jaunty piano rhythms gives the song a fun and frivolous edge, but at this point the energy fades a little and the song feels a little more of an uncomfortable listen when you’re not watching the film.

3/5

Track 5- Guy That Takes His Time

With a Guy That Takes His Time the fact that Burlesque is based in an old school musical sound and is sensual should be very obvious. But because of that this makes the record more boring and makes this another tune that really works better when your watching the film, rather than being a song that stands on its own in the way that other movie songs can. Here we find the singer telling us of how she would love to find a guy who takes his time, a sex orientated lyrical piece that finds the singer in her sexy vocal mode as she slowly stresses the lyrics and evokes passion into the song. Vocally the singer is good and can make this song really work, but with the piano and horns of the production we get something we have already heard and know that she can do well, and so this song just loses the spark of power it might have had over the listener.

2.5/5

Track 6- Express

Aguilera gives us more of a modern tune with Express, a pop song that is a little 50’s influenced in sound but which also has this prominent modern dance edge. The track is a sensual affair as the singer repeatedly spells out the word express and tells of how burlesque is this powerful art that is part of life for her and her girls in their own way, and is this dance form that needs passion and emotion. The spelled out singing in the track makes for a fun hook to the song, and with the finger clicking of the production, we are given a sassy and snappy number that has this cool and infectious energy. The song powerfully utilises bass beats and horns in the production along with gritty electro pop based rhythms for a old school and modern mix that marks the song out as one of the more standout pieces, and gives us a track that works both in and outside of the film. The song also allows the singer to both show control and power within her vocals at the same time, and the only real issue with the track is that the last minute of the song is dragged out for a bit too long.

3.5/5

Track 7- You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me

The second and final musical offering by Cher, You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me is a powerful piano led ballad from the pop star that was written by song writing veteran Diane Warren, who is also known for quite a few of her stellar soundtrack contributions to other films. Here we find Cher singing of being at seemingly at her lowest point, but finding this strength in herself and firmly telling us of how this isn’t the last we have seen of her. The emotional simplicity and honesty of the track is very powerful and heart-warming, with the singer giving us a commanding vocal performance that is full to the brim with promotion and which also has this fragile but visceral edge that is a pleasure to listen to. The songs production powerfully builds from just the piano to this epic sound filled with drums, guitar and an orchestra, giving us a fine pop ballad that is perhaps not the most original soundtrack number but which still has a majesty and beauty that is attention grabbing and great to listen to. And whilst the song also works really well within the narrative of the film, the song also perhaps acts as a sign of the greatness of Cher and how she may have had a long career, but her music career is definitely not over yet.

4/5

Track 8- Bound to You

This time Aguilera takes centre stage for another pop ballad that is a little bit richer and subtler in sound than the previous track, but still features a big vocal performance and a powerful emotional essence. The song is all about Aguilera telling this boy of how she is bound to him because with him she has finally found her way. Co-written by frequent Aguiera collaborator Sia Furler, the songs lyrics are perfectly executed to be poetic but also quite simple and honest, and with the swaying rhythm of the piano led production along with the stirring strings and steady drumbeats, the song has a glamorous feel that feels a little bit influenced by the past and showcases how the singer has this old school glamour about her. The song finds Aguilera unleashing her vocals in an impressive way, but also creating a nice build within the song and showing some control, although at times it does feel like she is just singing to show how great she is and therefore the track has its moments of being emotionally lacking.

3.5/5

Track 9- Show Me How You Burlesque

Bringing the tempo back into high gear, Show Me How You Burlesque is one of the more snappier musical moments that nicely blends old school glamour with modern pop and dance sensibilities. The song finds the singer telling us of this world that is completely different from the outside, and asking us to get dressed up and show her how you burlesque. The song invokes this sense of empowerment that some women will find appealing and fulfilling, and vocally the song is great in the way that the fast paced rhythms of the song don’t catch the singer out, as she fully controls the song. But at the same time it is also great as she shows reserve whilst still showing of some vocal power. The snappy backbeat combined with the funky drumbeat groove and the punchy horns gives the track and infectious upbeat dance energy that can captivate the listener, making for a fun pop number.

3.5/5

Track 10- The Beautiful People (from Burlesque)

Album closer and the end credits song, The Beautiful People is a fun up tempo pop and dance number that is the most modern orientated track on the record and is perhaps a little awkward compared with the rest of the record, as the sound of this track is markedly different. The song’s lyrics sample the Marylyn Manson song of the same name and focus on how the people of Burlesque are glamorous, beautiful and carefree. The message may be a bit egotistical and perhaps even bitchy in a way, but if you just take the song at face value in terms of being a cheesy, pop musical number, then you can have fun listener to this track. The singer gives us a feisty and quirky vocal performance that is tonally rich, although sometimes the use of Auto Tune does seem unnecessary. The songs sound is a powerful electro pop and dance pop based sound that combines this jingly piano melody with stomping electric guitar riffs and shimmering synth notes for a vibrant and fun dance driven sound that may not work in the film and may feel a bit clichéd, but is ultimately just fun.

3.5/5 

Final Review

The Burlesque soundtrack seems to be a record that is pristinely created for it’s accompanying film, and finds both artists giving their all vocally and creating some truly catchy numbers. Some of the songs don’t work outside of the film, but others nicely ties in modern sensibilities with this past fuelled glamour that is a pleasure to listen to. On songs like Somethings Got a Hold of Me and Bound to You Aguilera oozes this glamorous persona that can captivate her listeners, with her vocals being undeniably brilliant. But she also sounds equally strong in some of the more modern dance driven numbers, and so it would just seem that a pop record with a 50’s twist is her best work, and although she did that with her great Back to Basics record in 2006, she should recapture that sound and twist it up just a little to avoid copying herself. However, this record also is great in that although she only has two cuts, Cher produces some great tracks and shows that she is still a great artist after all these years.

7.5/10

Best Track- You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me

Worst Track- A Guy That Takes His Time

Lana Del Rey- Born to Die Album Review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Album- Born to Die

Artist- Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey has seen her star sore musically in the past few years, moving firmly on from her independent label release debut that was released under her actual name Lizzie Grant back in 2010. This second studio album was a worldwide success, and the singer is enjoying further success in 2013 with the release of her Great Gatsby soundtrack contribution ‘Young and Beautiful’. Yet whilst a lot of people seem to love Del Rey, is she actually as great as it seems? Or is her music a bit too much of the same stuff that is simply repeated?

Track 1- Born to Die

The album’s title track and opening song is a dramatic pop track that is described by the singer as a ‘homage to true love and a tribute to living life on the wild side’. The lyrics have a gently apocalyptic quality with Del Rey and her man being in this powerful but ultimately it would seem doomed relationship. The melodramatic quality of the track means that it grabs your attention, with the singer exuding glamour within her vocal performance. The song is also strong vocally in the way that we are shown both the deeper and higher levels of the singer’s voice that gives the song this loved up, really powerful flair. The production has a nice glossy quality with the whipping strings and simple backbeat having this smooth quality that means we really listen to the lyrics, and so this is a strong song to start the record off with.

3.5/5

Track 2- Off to the Races

Off to the Races originally featured on the singers debut set and is really different to the previous track, with the song finding the singer employing a rap vocal style, where the singer comes across as both a vintage woman and a simple RnB girl. The lyrical content is a bit crazy and has this freak show quality where the singer is seemingly dependent upon this one person. The quirky sensibilities of the track are appealing and intriguing, with the vocal style showing different sides of the singer with ease and making the records beginnings more arresting. The track also the dramatic swirling strings that the previous track had with this heavy bass and hip hop beats that adds to the eclectic flavour of the song and further commands your attention, even if you end up by the end just thinking what was going on their?

3.5/5

Track 3- Blue Jeans

Both an A side and B side from the record at some point before becoming the third official single, Blue Jeans is a song that has a powerful vintage sheen about it and finds the singing employing some hip hop tones with baroque pop. The hip hop influences are confirmed within the lyrical content, and the down tempo pop ballad follows the same vein of as Born to Die in terms of that forever ideology, as Del Rey sings of how her man is the perfect fit, and so she wants him to stay, as she will love him till the end of time. The song has an arresting quality in the way that chorus goes into the higher registers of the singers voice to give the song this ethereal quality that makes the whole track that more powerful. But the best thing about this song has to be the production, with the hazy guitar strumming blending nicely with the minimalist hip hop beats, and the rock quality of the bridge leaves us with a powerful final chorus.

3.5/5

Track 4- Video Games

Del Rey’s debut single and her breakout hit, musically video games is a deep pop ballad that was inspired by one of the singers ex-boyfriends. The lyrics find the star in the role of a girl who still loves her boyfriend, despite the fact that she is ignored by him in favour of video games. The song has a deeper vocal performance and maintains this haunting level of intensity throughout the song that makes each word feel more potent. The vocal also feels so smooth and glamorous but at the same time very vulnerable, and so shows that she is a great artists as she does really touch you emotionally. The simplicity of the songs production with the piano and pizzicato strings is also touching in its own way, and so by the end if you do not feel the tiniest bit emotional after this song then you should go back and listen to it again.

4.5/5

Track 5- Diet Mountain Dew

When I read the title of this track I expected things to be a little bit weird, and indeed the song is more different compared to last few tracks in terms of the more chatty vocal style, hip hop sensibilities and kind of light tone that is produced. The song finds the singer asking if her beau thinks they will be in love forever, whilst also speaking of how she wants him even if he is not good for her. The lyrics are a little weird but the quirky and hard to decipher quality of the song actually makes it appealing, although I do think this song suffers a little from too much repetition. The twinkling notes of the piano melody and simple drumbeats give the song this steady hip hop groove that once again is strong in the way that it allows the vocals and lyrics to stand out and really make more of an impact on the listener. However the vocal performance here is a bit either you will like it or not, as the light tone is nice but after a while can come across as a little annoying.

3/5

Track 6- National Anthem

Serving as the records fifth single, National Anthem is one of the chattiest of the tracks on the record and has a trip hop and alternative hip hop style that is cool and powerful. The song finds the Del Rey telling us of this great guy who has heaven in his eyes, and she wants to be part of his love story where he calls her his metaphorical national anthem. The concept is intriguing and powerful, feeling influenced by some of the presidential affairs and loves of the past. The track feature a great vocal from Del Ray with a style that feels like we are really close to the singer, whilst the chorus has this crowd singing together quality that makes this a track that is sure to be great when performed live. The heavy bass and beats changes the record up again and adds this dark but snappy quality that makes this record engaging and appealing.

3.5/5

Track 7- Dark Paradise

Like the title would suggest, this is another tune where we find the singer in a bit of emotional state. The song follows a familiar lyrical concept in terms of singer telling this guy that no one compares to him, even though he is a bit of a bad boy. The song has slightly more of fast paced quality than some of the other pop ballads which makes it feel a bit different and gives the song this sense of urgency. However the song suffers lyrical in terms of the repetition of the lyrics. The vocals have a slighter tone and don’t feel as dramatic as some of the other ballads, but the change is nice as it gives the song a slightly more familiar pop feel that makes the record diverse, and is still powerful in its own way. The tracks production is slightly heavier, with string and piano melodies that feel a little 80’s influenced. Critics have negatively viewed this song as a sub-par ballad from Del Rey, but I actually think the more simple pop energy of the track is a nice change, whilst the song still has that signature Del Rey flare, and the track also gives the record this sense of diversity.

3.5/5

Track 8- Radio

Radio is the most straightforward indie pop ballad from the record that features the singer in her typical woe be me mode. The lyrics of the song focus on how the singer feels like she is complete now she has found this person, and simply asks to be loved whilst she is on the radio. The track has a simple lyrical quality but is complex in the way that she could be referring to finding a specific person, or she could be referencing the fame that she has long sought for. It is a interesting concept that is made catchier by the vocal performance, as the track features the singer dipping and rising within her vocal range to create a nice contrast within the song, with the chorus having this light quality that gives the singers this cute persona. The track also features a simple sound with the steady bass and light strings and guitar, and so this is a simple pop ballad that still retains this great level of intrigue in terms of the lyrics.

3.5/5

Track 9- Carmen

Released as a promotional single in select European territories, Carmen is a song that according to the singer features a 17 year old main protagonist who suffers from substance abuse, which draws similarities with the singers personal life as she suffered from a drinking addiction in her late teens. The song lyrically focuses on the story of a doomed woman forced to sell herself on te street. The song lyrically has this deep emotional pain, and the darkness of the song does have this almost personal quality that makes this a more potent song. The track once again finds the singer giving us a vocal performance that is slow and weary, but the song also goes into more of a child sing song vocal that makes the song feel more potent. With the production featuring stirring strings, delicate piano melodies and simple drum machine beats, this song is purely an emotional track that acts nicely as an example of how the singer seems to almost effortlessly move you in some way.

3.5/5

Track 10- Million Dollar Man

A collaboration with songwriter Chris Braide, Million Dollar Man features the singer glamorously giving us a vocal and track that feels a bit like a James Bond theme. The song features a simple drum machine driven bass and echoing siren like noises that make the song feel like a cinematic track that is really powerful. Lyrically the track focuses on Del Rey telling us of her love for this man who is suave and seems like he’s worth a lot of money, but yet she is heartbroken. The lyrical concept is powerful and simple, but the lyrics do suffer from a bit too much repetition. However the vocals of the track have this pure glamorous quality that is very powerful, and so this song is still very impactful.

3.5/5

Track 11- Summertime Sadness

Becoming a surprise rock and dance charting hit in the US through the use of remixes, Summertime Sadness serves as a single in a number of different territories. The track is a trip hop ballad that finds the singer in her typical woeful mode. The song finds the singer telling her beau that she is love with him, and will be in a state of sadness when he goes. It is once again a cool concept, but the songs lyrics become repetitive and a bit redundant. The track also finds the singer giving us a vocal that at this point we know she can do really well, and so the song loses some of its magic. The punchy hip hop quality of the bass gives the track standout energy to the sound, but the use of strings is a typical Del Rey quality, and so by this point the record feels like it needs to come to a conclusion.

3/5

Track 12- This Is What Makes Us Girls

Final track This Is What Makes Us Girls is a final indie pop ballad from the singer that is focuses on youth and partying. The songs lyrical content has this prominent quality, and so the song would sound out of place on a teen indie film focused on a group of girl. The narrative quality of the lyrics is cool and will be good for some listeners as it will feel relatable. The singer also gives us a vocal that feels useful in her use of the higher ranges of her voice, but the vocal overall has a stylish quality that now feels classic Del Ray. With the songs production featuring this dark guitar melody and dramatic sounding strings, the sound is powerful but doesn’t feel unique, and so this a good but not great way to end the record.

3/5

Final Review

Lana Del Rey has given us a glamorous and mournful record that is emotionally powerful and has this all-round unique energy. The singers voice has a smooth a potent quality that feels like she could bring the emotion out of any song, whilst the lyrical concepts and execution feel both relatable and personal and really impact the listener. The album is hindered a little bit by lyrical repetition and a sound that becomes too familiar with the last couple of track, but the singer does incorporate different styles into her work, and so for the most part this is an engaging record that deserves the recognition and success it has achieved.

8/10

Best Track- Video Games

Worst Track- Diet Mountain Dew

Ne.Yo- R.E.D Album Review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Album- R.E.D

Artist- Ne-Yo

Ne-Yo is one of the reigning kings of the RnB pop scene, with 8 top 20 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, and a list of big collaborations to his name. The singer is also great in terms of his musical creativity, as he is also known as a talented songwriter and producer for a plethora of other artists. R.E.D, his fifth studio album, serves as a sort of comeback for the singer and finds him returning to form after achieving his first top ten in four years. But is Realizing Every Dream (R.E.D) really the dream record that Ne-Yo should be producing?

Track 1- Cracks in Mr Perfect

At one point being the album’s title track, the opening number is a funky, mid tempo RnB jam that is lyrically fast paced and nicely gives the singer this charismatic quality. The songs lyrical content shows a maturity for the singer as he bemoans the flip side of fame, whilst also speaking of unprotected sex in the second verse. The track taps into the idea of fame simply but powerfully, and the singer gives us a smooth vocal performance that is just quite light and gives the song this nice, chilled atmosphere. With the steady back beat and twangy guitar rhythms, the production of the song is equally smooth and fined tuned, with the background vocals adding an extra chilled layer to the music to makes this a nice, soft opening to the record.

3.5/5

Track 2- Lazy Love

The records lead single caters to fans of Ne-Yo’s RnB work, as this is a smooth slow jam that is lyrically and vocally finds the singer in a very sensual state. This is because lyrically the track is based in the idea of this languid desire that means that a couple state in bed a lot, and finds the singer giving us a silky vocal performance that brings out the desire of the lyrics very powerfully. The sonorous synth bass line of the track is simple but powerful, creating a smooth tone the track that makes this a more prominently sensual track, and so whilst it doesn’t feel the most original track in the world, this song works well in the showcasing Ne-Yo at his RnB best.

3.5/5

Track 3- Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)

Second single Let Me Love You caters more to a dance and pop based, mainstream audience and finds the singer collaborating lyrically with current music star Sia. Described by the singer as going beyond the realm of just a relationship between a man and a woman, the song lyrically finds the singer helping this girl to love both herself and another again as he can see that she is fragile and has been hurt in the past. The lyrics feel simple but passionate, and are heightened by the smooth and charismatic quality of the singers vocals. Furthermore, the synth pop and dance pop vibrancy of the track nicely contrasts with the sweetness of the lyrics in regards to the forceful quality of the sound, and so this is a great pop tune that deserves it’s Billboard top ten placing and seemingly revitalising power for Ne-Yo’s solo career.

4/5

Track 4- Miss Right

Continuing with the synth pop sound of the previous track, Miss Right is another collaboration with Swedish producers Stargate and is a sweet mid tempo pop song. Lyrically the track is all about how this woman is so right for Ne-Yo and exudes this irresistible essence. The lyrics have a charismatic quality that is highlight by the smooth and simple quality of the vocal performance, but the lyrics do feel a bit stereotypical, and the chorus lacks the attention grabbing hook that the singer can deliver. Stargate give us a simple sound with the production being based in this light and simple synth beats and handclapping beats that make the song have a groovy sound, but the breathing of the background vocals just sounds annoying, and on the whole this song just lacks originality and feels too bland.

2.5/5

Track 5- Jealous

With a tight RnB groove, Jealous is another mid tempo offering from the singer that is once again about a girl. This time the singer speaks of his jealousy because he is captivated by this woman, but nobody can love her the way that he does. The concept is interesting but the lyrics don’t have that catchy quality that really captivates the listener, with the song perhaps just being too soft for us to believe that he is jealous. The vocal performance is good in the way that it shows off the singers range and utilises his falsetto towards the end, whilst the production of the track is this simple RnB rhythm that makes this another good if unoriginal RnB jam.

3/5

Track 6- Don’t Make Em Like You (featuring Wiz Khalifa)

Lyrically this track is very much summed up within the title as the singer tells us of his appreciation for this woman who he just loves and thinks that no other girls compare to. The statement is nothing you wouldn’t expect from an RnB artist and so loses its appeal because of this, with the smooth charismatic tone of the singer’s vocals doing nothing to save the track. The only interesting thing about the song is the production with the snappy beats and the slight Motown feel of the sound, but overall this is just a simple song that is too stereotypical and bland, with guest feature Wiz Khalifa adding nothing to the song.

2/5

Track 7- Be the One

Be the One takes us back to more of a synth orientated, mainstream pop sound. Bringing his charismatic persona to the forefront, Be the One focuses on Ne-Yo asking this girl too let him be the guy for her, because he doesn’t think that this guy has given her the true love that she deserves. The message is both sweet and passionate, but perhaps lacks powerful as it feels a bit like a rehash of Let Me Love You. The smoothness of the singers vocals give a great energy to the track, with the layering of his vocals providing a light tone to the bridge that makes for a strong finish to the track. The simple quality of the production with the steady back beat and light synths is cool and creates a chilled rhythm that make this a nice song to sit and listen to, even if it lacks a bit of originality.

3.5/5

Track 8- Stress Reliever

Whilst the last track may have been quite a sweet offering, Stress Reliever is much more of a mature offering that switches things back to more of an RnB orientated sound. The song lyrically focuses on the singers favourite sex position and how this girl knows what he likes, theme that sounds a bit weird when condensed like this, but ultimately being written with this great sensual energy, even though the metaphors are a bit is it right to listen to this and also slightly egotistical in a way. The singers smooth vocals and the way he slowly stresses the lyrics makes the song have this sensual tone that is also helped by the use of vocal layering and Auto Tune that gives the song this slightly lighter quality that makes us believe this really is a song that lives up to its title. The snappy RnB beats are simple and with the twinkling piano in places, this is smooth jam that will act as another good bedroom tune from Ne-Yo.

3.5/5

Track 9- She Is (featuring Tim McGraw)

Switching genres again, She Is is a track that is influenced by country music and continues with the mellow energy of the previous track. Ne Yo sings and McGraw singing about this girl who has got them caught up in this world and how she has this power that no one else has; they can love her. The sweetness but almost antagonistic quality of the lyrics are cool, and in terms of the production the lyrics are smartly paired with a sound that is simple acoustic guitar that add vulnerability and mellowness to the music. Vocally both singers give us performances that are light and cute and which meld together well, and so whilst this is by no means a great melding of the RnB and country music worlds, it is a track that works and sounds good and also sounds like a record that belongs on this album.

3.5/5

Track 10- Carry On (Her Letter to Him)

Continuing with the ballad quality of the previous track, Carry On is a powerful song that acts as an open letter to a lover. The lyrics of the song focus on Ne-Yo telling his lover that now she has found someone new she can just carry on as he will be better without her (although the bracketed sub title suggests that we are meant to see this as Ne-Yo singing out a letter from a former lover). The simple, almost brutal quality of the track makes the lyrical content catchier, with the ‘oh hoo’ hook being sweet vocal moments that add further appeal to the track. The background vocals and simple drumbeat rhythms of the production give the song a slight pop rock feel that is nicely understated and doesn’t try to be too overbearing on the listener, and with Ne-Yo giving us a smooth and strong yet reserved vocal, Carry On shows perfectly how you can brush off an ex without going crazy.

3.5/5

Track 11- Forever Now

Released as the records second international single, Forever Now is another up tempo dance and synth pop track that is a little similar to Let Me Love You, but is a little harsher in sound and more vocally and lyrically fragile. The song finds Ne-Yo singing about the plans he made with this girl who has left him and is with another, and now he just wonders what he is going to do after they made all these plans to be together forever. The message is structured in a good way, and with his smooth RnB tones Ne-Yo gives us a song that feels both strong and yet fragile, as there is this little catch in his voice. The punchy dance beats and vibrant synths give a nice sound to this track, but as a whole this song just feels like too much of a simple pop track to be played in a club and lacks the fire power of Let Me Love You, with a major issue being too much lyrical repetition.

2.5/5

Track 12- Shut Me Down

With a simple piano melody as its base, Shut Me Down is an up tempo pop tuna that has a light tone about it that is a bit infectious. Here Ne-Yo sings about how this girl keeps shutting him down even though he is trying to woo her and is in love with her. The message is sweet but once again this is a song that suffers from lyrical repetition, making it seem as if Ne-Yo ran out of ideas in the writing and recording process. The track is good in terms of the light tone of the singers vocals, with the richness of his voice giving the song this edge of sincerity. And although the production is a bit of a typical pop sound, the moody but light synths and vibrant electro rhythms give the track a fun tone that elevates the songs message, and so this is less of a bland pop tune than the last track.

3/5

Track 13- Unconditional

Closing track Unconditional follows the same lyrical ideas as Let Me Love You, as Ne-Yo sings to this girl of how he will do anything for her, because his love is unconditional. The message is another sweet song that is given gravitas by the lilting tone of the singers vocals, with the range that he employs giving a vibrancy to the track that makes this feel like a sincere track. Blending clattering dance beats with stirring strings and more organic instruments in the production creates a nice, varied and positive sound to the track that acts as a nice sound for the lyrics to have more of a powerful impact on the listener, with this track just being an all-round nice love song to finish the record with.

3.5/5

Final Review

R.E.D is a solid effort from Ne-Yo that sees him nicely return to his RnB roots whilst still mixing it up with pop and soul to give varied audience appeal to the album. The singers vocals are always smooth and for the most part charismatic, whilst each song collectively really come together on the albumt o give a cohesive collection. However, R.E.D does have it’s problems, as on quite a few occasions the lyrical content has a bland quality in the way that it feels like we are listening to things we have heard before, whilst some songs are produced in a way that just feels commercial and not exciting. Let Me Love You definitely deserves its success, but as for the rest of the album, it seems Ne-Yo still has a way to go before he regains his former music glory.

5.5/10

Best Track- Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)

Worst Track- Don’t Make Em Like You (featuring Wiz Khalifa)