Reviews
Beyoncé - 4
Beyoncé's highly anticipated studio album "4" has finally arrived. Unlike her last two albums, the pop diva goes back to her R&B roots. The album "4" has production from Kanye West, Switch, The-Dream, Babyface, Ryan Tedder, Consequence, Diane Warren, Shea Taylor and Symbolyc One.
Check my first official review of Beyoncé's fourth studio album "4".
Vocal Delivery: (5/5)
Lyrical Content: (4.5/5)
Production: (4/5)
Demi Lovato - Unbroken
Demi told MTV about "Unbroken" and said: "I think it's grown-up, but it's not too grown-up". She continued, "It's not tasteless. It's growing up with my fans. It's [like] I’m not a kid anymore, but I’m also not a full-grown woman either. So I'm in that in-between stage, trying to figure out where that is. So I'm figuring it out, just like my fans are".
On "Unbroken" Demi has R&B, pop, and dance songs. It includes chart topping single "Skyscraper". Features include Timbaland, Missy Elliott, Jason Derü, Dev and IYAZ. Here is my review on 15-track album.
Vocal Delivery: (4.5/5)
Lyrical Content: (3.5/5)
Production: (4/5)
Nicola Roberts - Cinderella's Eyes
Nicola Roberts is the third member from Girls Aloud to release a solo album. Ever since Girls Aloud took their hiatus in 2009, Cheryl Cole has released two successful generic solo albums, Nadine Coyle put out a very good album, but it flopped. Now Nicola has officially released her masterpiece album titled "Cinderella's Eyes" filled with some honest, strong, confident, and feisty pop songs.
Nicola recruited various produces Dimitri Tikovoi, Diplo, Dragonette, The Invisible Men, and Metronomy's Joseph Mount.
Vocal Delivery: (3.5/5)
Lyrical Content: (3.5/5)
Production: (4/5)
2NE1 - 2nd Mini-Album
2NE1 ("twenty-one" or "to anyone"), is a dance-pop/hip-hop group consisting of four girls: CL, Minzy, Dara, and Bom. The group makes their returns to K-pop with their second mini album after the release of their successful album "To Anyone".
2NE1 are one of few artists that out, that has the ability to change their musical styles without losing the original concept. You can't say these girls don't have signature style. Every song and music video was released months before the actually album. I have to say the production and songwriting from Teddy is beyond phenomenal. This is 2NE1's best set of music released to date.
Vocal Delivery: (5/5)
Lyrical Content: (4.5/5)
Production: (5/5)
Inna - I Am The Club Rocker
Romanian dance singer Inna made her way to the music scene with her debut album "Hot" which was released in 2009. Now she's back with her sophomore album "I Am The Club Rocker" and it has some trendy and catchy tunes.
The whole album once again was produced by trio Play & Win. It features 13 Europop dance tracks, that I'm sure will get played in various clubs around the world.
Vocal Delivery: (3/5)
Lyrical Content: (3/5)
Production: (3/5)
Jason Derülo - Future History
Jason Derülo is back with his sopohomore album "Future History", the follow up to his successful self titled debut album released back in 2009. The first single released for the project was the insanely generic and catchy tune "Dont Wanna Go Home" which peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100. The current second single "It Girl" is siting at #19.
When you find success with your debut album and its hard to find the same with the second. He had some top producers like J.R. Rotem, RedOne, and more work on the album. Do his album rise to the occasion, check out.
Vocal Delivery: (3.5/5)
Lyrical Content: (2/5)
Production: (3.5/5)
Lady Antebellum - Own The Night
Country-rock trio Lady Antebellum released the follow-up to last year's successful album album "Need You Now" which won five Grammy's including Song and Record of the year. The trio's third album Own The Night" has proving to be another success, debuting at 1 on Billboard Hot 100 and selling 347,000 copies in the first week.
"Own The Night" has good balance of country, rock, some pop, making it listenable. Once again Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley vocally work their magic.
Vocal Delivery: (4/5)
Lyrical Content: (3.5/5)
Production: (4/5)
Dev - The Night The Sun Came Up
After having a successful hit single with The Cataracs and Far East Movement on "Like a G6", Dev dropped her debut album "The Night The Sun Came Up" on September 20th in Europe. The first single "Bass Down Low" wasn't a huge hit but the second single "In the Dark" proved to be.
If I was to describe Dev, I would say she's has the musical styles of Lily Allen and Ke$ha. Check it out after the jump.
Vocal Delivery: (1/5)
Lyrical Content: (1.5/5)
Production: (2/5)
Evanescence - Evanescence
American rock band Evanescence disappeared in 2006 after their sophomore studio album "The Open Door" came out. It did well but but wasn't as successful as their debut album 2003's "Fallen". Now they have released their highly anticipated self-titled third album, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 charts and selling 127,000 copies in the first week.
The album has said to have taking 5 years to make. Was it worth the long wait, I think so.
Vocal Delivery: (5/5)
Lyrical Content: (4.5/5)
Production: (4.5/5)
Brown Eyed Girls - Sixth Sense
After being on a two year hiatus, a comeback Brown Eyed Girls was the least expected. My anticipation for this album wasn't to good. The girls debuted back in 2006 with "Your Story" and follow-ups 2007's "Leave Ms. Kim" and 2009's "Sound G.".
With the release of "Abracadabra", it became a huge hit for the girls. It catapulted them in the right direction, compared to their previous stuff. "Sixth Sense" contains six new songs, one interlude, and one instrumental.
Vocal Delivery: (5/5)
Lyrical Content: (4/5)
Production: (5/5)
Wonder Girls - Wonder World
The Wonder Girls weren't one of my favorites up until now. I didn't have anything against them, I just didn't like what they were putting out before this album. The Wonder Girls have spent two years away from the k-pop, to work on their debut album and movie in the US.
People were anticipating their Korean comeback for a long time, and their back with great single "Be My Baby" and amazing new album "Wonder World".
Vocal Delivery: (4.5/5)
Lyrical Content: (5/5)
Production: (5/5)
The Saturdays - On Your Radar
Now putting all that aside, The Saturdays managed to deliver some good material on "On Your Radar". Check review and thoughts, after the jump.
Vocal Delivery: (4/5)
Lyrical Content: (3/5)
Production: (3/5)
Cher Lloyd - Sticks + Stones
Cher Lloyd made her way on to the music scene when she audition for X-Factor UK. She made a huge impact when she sung Keri Hilson version of Turn My Swag On. I n the end, she ended up finishing in 4th place and managed to signed to Simon Cowell's record label Syco Music. Cher's debut album "Sticks & Stones" was released November 7th 2011.
The album includes collaborations with Busta Rhymes, Mike Posner, and Carolina Liar. Click here above to see the review
Vocal Delivery: (3/5)
Lyrical Content: (2.5/5)
Production: (3.5/5)
Girls' Generation - The Boys
"The Boys" will receive a US release though SM Entertainment later this year (2012).
Vocal Delivery: (3/5)
Lyrical Content: (3/5)
Production: (2/5)
Joe Jonas - Fastlife
Joe Jonas released his first solo debut album on October 11, 2011. When I heard about the news of Joe's solo project, I wasn't really exited. Wasn't a fan of the Jonas Brothers, but I knew Joe was the best looking and had the best voice out of the other two. After his brother Nick went solo, you kinda knew in the back of your mind he would too.
He managed to Britney Spears collaborator Danja, Rob Knox, Chris Brown/Kevin McCall as writers, and many more. Check out the review above
Vocal Delivery: (3.5/5)
Lyrical Content: (2.5/5)
Production: (3/5)
Trouble Maker - Trouble Maker
Vocal Delivery: (4/5)
Lyrical Content: (4/5)
Production: (3.9/5)
Natalia Kills - Perfectionist
Natalia Kills released her long awaited debut album "Perfectionist" on August 16th, 2011. The album is a 16 track collection full of power, emotion, and darkness. Natalia first caught my eye is when I heard "Zombie" and "Activate My Heart". From then on I was hooked on to her music and was interested in what she had to offer. There's were several that things unique about, her voice, style, the type of music she was making called Dark Pop.
Vocal Delivery: (3.9/5)
Lyrical Content: (4/5)
Production: (4/5)
RaNia - Time To Rock Da Show
After shocking the hell out the Korean music industry with their very raunchy music video for "Dr. Feel Good" in early 2011, RaNia made their comeback in November 2011 with a new mini-album and less close-ups of the ladies private parts.
"Time To Rock Da Show" has only has three tracks, with one of them serving as a intro. I don't really understand why this being called a mini-album, when it only has two tracks on it. This is more like a single album than a actually EP. Instead of working with American producer Teddy Riley (who produced "Dr. Feel Good), their agency went with none other than producer Brave Brothers who's worked with several other K-Pop groups like Brave Girls, Big Bang, T-ara and more.
Vocal Delivery: (4/5)
Lyrical Content: (4/5)
Production: (4/5)
Rihanna - Talk That Talk
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One year after releasing her album "Loud", no surprise Rihanna dropped her sixth studio album "Talk That Talk" in November 2011. RiRi is amongst some of the hardest working entertainers in the music business today. She has sixth successful albums and scored eleven #1 singles on The Billboard Hot 100 charts. Over the years she has improved in her vocal performances, because we all know she doesn't sound too good when singing live.
"Talk That Talk" features production from Chase & Status, Stargate, The-Dream, No I.D. and more. It has two featured guest like Calvin Harris ("We Found Love") and Jay-Z on the title track ("Talk That Talk") The album doesn't disappoint, but its not as good "Loud".
Vocal Delivery: (4.9/5)
Lyrical Content: (4.5/5)
Production: (4.7/5)
Dal★Shabet - Hit U
Dal★Shabet released their latest mini album "Hit U" in January 2012. The group is one of the top rookie groups of 2011. This is my first time putting my attention on the group. They have three albums out (excluding "Hit U") which I haven't listened yet. I do plan on purchasing the EP's and giving them a listen.
The mini-album "Hit U" was composed and produced by E-Tribe. Check out my review right above.
Vocal Delivery: (4/5)
Lyrical Content: (4/5)
Production: (4/5)
Miryo - MIRYO aka JOHONEY
Lead rapper of one of K-Pop's biggest girl groups Brown Eyed Girls Miryo released her debut solo mini-album "MIRYO aka JOHONEY" on February 1st. She is the third member from the group to release a solo mini-album. Ga-In and Narsha's solo albums did extremely will, so the pressure to make sure it was a success was there. She's not my favorite member of the group but I do enjoy her raps like the one in "Sixth Sense". I was interested in seeing what direction or concept, that this album was going to go in.
The mini album contains five tracks, four that features several guests. "Party Rock" featuring Leessang's Gary & THE KOXX, the lead single "Dirty", the mellow emotional track "I Love You, I Love You" featuring SNSD's Sunny and two more other tracks.
Vocal Delivery: (4/5)
Lyrical Content: (4/5)
Production: (4/5)
Brave Girls - Re:Issue
On February 22nd, Brave Girls made a comeback with their 2nd mini-album "Re:Issue" along with the music video to their title track "Nowadays You". In 2011 the group debuted with their R&B track "Do You Know" and then can out with an reggae track "Why So Often". For their 2012 comeback, they have returned with a similar but trendy sound.
The title track "Nowadays You" was produced by none other than the creator of group and hit producer Brave Brothers of Brave Entertainment. He also produced the third track "말 없이 (Without Words)" an emotional R&B song. "Re:Issue" contains a total of 5 new tracks, with 3 being an intro, remix and instrumental version of "Nowadays You".
Vocal Delivery: (4.5/5)
Lyrical Content: (4/5)
Production: (5/5)
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I first discovered Ms Trez's music in mid 2012 and instantly became a fan. Since then I always wondered when were they going to release an EP or a album. That day has finally come, the trio has debuted their seven track EP titled "Beat's Our Guide".
If you don't already know, this girl group helms from Sweden. It's made of up three talented ladies: Lorena Lindblad, Marlene Pärni, and Mira Myllyniemi. All of them have unique voices and can deliver a great performance. So just based on their past releases, you can't expect anything but perfection.
Vocal Delivery: (5/5)
Lyrical Content: (5/5)
Production: (4.5/5)
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Namie Amuro released her eleventh studio album "FEEL" on July 10th under Avex's new Dimension Point label. Its been one year since the release of "Uncontrolled", Namie's previous album. Before it hit selves, it spawned three single including: "Big Boys Cry", "Contrail", and "Hands On Me". It was no surprise to see the album top Oricon charts and sell over 111,458 copies sold with the FIRST day. Wow, she's been in the music industry for 20 years now and her relevance's don't seem to be fading.
Here is my review of Namie Amuro's new album "FEEL". Keep in mind, this is the first time I've ever listened to one of her albums.
