Written by Joe K.
This is a test……this is only a test.
Ever since I started writing music reviews, I have stuck to music genres within my realm of interest. So in an attempt to spread my wings, I decided to write about something not in my wheelhouse. (If I am anything, it’s adventurous..just ask my boss @tonight at dawn). Today’s poor victim, aside from the readers, is Ariana Grande.
Ariana Grande’s name has been almost everywhere this past summer, which made me at least strangely curious. Knowing full well what her musical type was, I decided to listen. While I am not the biggest pop fan in existence, there are some songs from pop artists that I would actually say I like, but never an entire album. {OK, deep breath, Joe…you can do this}.
First, the positives (or near-positives):
1- This girl can sing really well. She certainly can hold her own against a Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, or any others in that field. This ballad heavy album showcases her singing abilities.
2- Hip-hop, R&B, dance and pop, are all well represented here. If you like this type of music, there is plenty for you to enjoy; “Hands On Me” and “Break Free” comes to mind {Oh boy, might as well turn in your MAN CARD, big guy..}
3- The lyrics here are not terrible. Sure, they touch on all the anticipated notes (love lost, love found, breaking away from that loser of a boyfriend, and then falling right back into his arms), but it’s not downright bad.
4- {WAY too many positives here, Joe, someone might think you like this…} I do like the first single, “Problem“. Sure, its predictable and comes complete with the typical candy coated rap verse center, but its fun. {Ignore that light-headedness for a few more minutes, champ…you’re doing God’s work}
Having said all that…
It is just sooooo damn formulaic! {You sound surprised, pal}. I could have pulled out a pop album checklist and have all the boxes filled in by track 4. Such as…
1. Half of the tracks have a featured hip-hop artist. By the way, can any rapper start their verses without calling out “Uh”, or “Yeah”? (Check)
2. Other than some ‘sexed-up’ moments, everything on this album screams “SAFE,”-not that I expected anything daring. (Check)
3. Stellar production that rings empty of any real artistic merits (Check)
4. Single-driven tracks. Half of these songs are unnecessary..I don’t even know why pop starts make full albums anymore. (Check)
I could go on about how the constant genre jumping from track-to-track impacts the flow of the album, or how the noticeable lack of more upbeat, danceable tracks also slows this album down way too much, but let’s not be too picky 😉
And with that, you have a standard middle of the road pop album that legions of young girls will undoubtedly buy and worship for approximately 5 minutes before the next big thing arrives.
And breathe….
twitter: @KralTunes
Tonight at Dawn 