Album Review | Danity Kane : DK3

After a reality show, two hit albums, a very public break-up, a reconciliation with four of the five members, one member bowing out and then another complete split, this is the finale to the Danity Kane story. They had so much potential and were at the top back in 2008 and the second time around was looking to be just as successful; however, these girls just don't seem to be meant for each other. They are all sassy and opinionated which translates in their music but, unfortunately, doesn't go down well outside of the studio.

DK3 is the girls goodbye and with such a major weight on this album, it had better be a good one.

Rhythm of Love

The album doesn't get off to the best of starts with quite a weak opening track that leaves little to be desired. It is too dance/pop for my liking and seems to alienate a lot of the original Danity Kane fans.

Lemonade feat. Tyga

I was instantly a fan of this song and I am glad that it was the lead single although it, unfortunately, never got a real release or a music video. It is a great R'n'B club track that shows the progression these ladies have made since their break up back in 2009. The lyrics are full of the attitude that got these girls where they are today and the chorus is ridiculously catchy.

All In A Day's Work

All In A Day's Work is the ultimate girl power anthem and could have easily been the follow-up single. I think this is a strong R'n'B song; however, fans have pointed out that the version with Aundrea as lead vocalist was a lot stronger. Having said that, this isn't necessarily a vocal heavy song so that doesn't take anything away from the song.

Rage

This sounds very much like an unreleased Katy Perry song and not a Danity Kane track at all. There is no sass and the R'n'B sound that these girls are known for is completely missing. The lyrics are unoriginal and weak and the chorus is persistent and annoying. This is definitely my least favourite track on the album.

Tell Me

This song brings me back to the original five piece Danity Kane which is never a bad thing. Tell Me is a really sexy mid-tempo song that could have also been another hit single.
I think the production is in perfect keeping with the lyrics and the girls deliver their infamous sultry vocals with power. This may be my favourite song on the album.

Two Sides

I feel like this ballad is missing something and I can't quite put my finger on it but it does sound very unfinished. I enjoyed the lead in of Tell Me into Two Sides but I was waiting for the song to go somewhere and it never did.
The vocals are nice but nothing ground-breaking, the lyrics are weak and the production is basic at best. If the girls were aiming for a laid-back acoustic feel then it didn't hit the mark this time. With a piano or some stronger production this could have been a really powerful ballad.

Secret Lover

I am still unsure about this song and it might end up growing on me with a few more listening sessions. I like the harmonies and individual vocals but I feel like this song had the potential to be something more.

Roulette

Yet again, the girls are missing something to make the track that much better and more powerful. The verses are great in terms of production and melody but then it loses itself on the hooks and chorus and becomes a mediocre pop song. This probably should have just been a bonus track or a b-side and not an album track.

Pieces

Finally the girls have a ballad that almost lives up to the greatness of some of the love songs on their previous albums. The harmonies are stunning and the vocals are almost perfect and it only saddens me that there were not enough slower tracks like this on the album.

Bye Baby

Another early leak that has been updated since the departure of Aundrea and I think I like this version a bit better.
A fun and throwback-ish R'n'B song with originality, attitude and power - everything that was missing on 90% of the album.

I am really disappointed with the end product that the girls are bowing out on because with Lemonade and Bye Baby setting the expectations, I really believed that this album would be one of their best. But, whether it was the issues within the group or the sudden split, this album is lacking in many areas and feels rushed and incomplete.
I hope that wasn't the case because that means that the girls' true potential was never reached and we will never get the Danity Kane comeback/goodbye album we, as fans, deserved.
Rating: 2/5 (only because 5 out of the ten songs are really strong otherwise it would have been a 1)

Album Review : Mila J E.P

Mila J has started to step out of her sister's, Jhene Aiko, shadow this year following the success of her single Smoke, Drink, Break-Up. She has proven that she can sing, dance and perform as well as look every inch the pop star, so does her E.P, Made In L.A, continue to showcase her potential as the next female R'n'B superstar.

1. My Main feat. Ty Dolla $ign

I am not that impressed with this track, which is also Mila's latest single, as it lacks any originality in the production. The theme of the song is cute - Mila is giving a shout out to her best friend - and makes a nice change from the overly discussed topics love, heartbreak, sex and partying.

But this doesn't set Mila apart from the hundreds of other young female singers trying to make a name for themselves in the industry.

2. Champion feat. B.o.B

This song is definitely an improvement from the first with a catchy hook, a sexy melody and solid production. Although it could be considered a bit vulgar, it is not much different from the male R'n'B singers, such as Chris Brown, Trey Songz and August Alsina, are doing in their music it just comes as a bit more of a surprise when being sung by a female. However, I feel a bit of empowerment in the sentiment of the song but that is just my interpretation.

3. Times Like These

Upon first listen, I was slightly bored as there is no change in the melody or pace of this song which makes it a bit bold. However, after watching the video (which breaks the song up between acted songs) the lyrics and vocals really shine through making it a stronger ballad than what it is on the E.P. All it needs is less production on the verses and then the beat can come in at the chorus to add a bit more structure to the song.

4. Pain In My Heart feat. Problem

By far my favourite song on the E.P. and, in my opinion, should have been the follow-up single instead of My Main. The vocals, particularly on the chorus, are really stunning and melodic which bring the song to life emotionally. The lyrics are touching, easy to relate to and vulnerable and the production is unlike any R'n'B ballad I have heard in the past five or so years. 

This is definitely the route Mila J is strongest in and she should embrace this side of her music a lot more when it comes to her debut album.

5. Smoke, Drink, Break-Up

The song we have all heard and love by now, and rightfully so, as this really shines amongst some of the lacklustre tracks on this E.P.

Vocally, Mila almost sounds like another person on this track and she plays with her raspy and more aggressive tones which works because it makes her voice distinctive. The beat and production is brilliant on this song and this is almost an A+ in terms of R'n'B music, all that is missing in the French Montana feature.

Overall, this E.P was a slight disappointment because it was Mila's opportunity to grab the attention of critics, fans and the media and get them on side, excited for her upcoming debut album.

However, aside from some great vocals and the stunning Pain In My Heart, Mila didn't really showcase her individuality or her strengths as an artist. She fell short on the first three tracks and didn't have enough time to bring herself back afloat. 

Hopefully, she learns from this E.P. and makes better choices in order to create a more distinctive album.

Rating: 2/5

New Video : Wretch 32

Wretch 32 has been under the radar for quite some time now after much success with his debut album, but now he is back with his new single, 6 Words.
It's a cute song and a cute video with a great hook and a lot of potential to be another hit single. I love that Wretch isn't afraid to separate himself from the stereotype of grime artists by discussing sentimental and heartfelt topics in his music.

New Video : Elle Varner

I adore Elle Varner and her soothing, soulful vocals and honest R'n'B music but her latest single is showing a new side to the singer/songwriter.
Fuck It All is clearly not your typical Elle break-up song and the video vouches for that too. Elle catches her boyfriend cheating and decides to hide the fact and go away with him for a few days. It soon all gets too much for her and things go quite dark for an R'n'B music video, that being said, I love the story being told and Elle's acting is on point.
As I have always said, I really enjoy videos that narrate a relevant and captivating story, and this is one of them.

Album Review | Tinashe : Aquarius

Tinashe is a star in the making with a hit single under her belt already and a second single dropping last month. She has proved she can sing and dance and she certainly looks every inch the superstar but does she have the great music to go with it.
Her debut album, Aquarius, is released this week and has created a big buzz around the web already with many calling it one of the best albums of the year. A massive statement for a singer who has only just reached her twenties and has yet to score a number 1.
So here is my opinion on the 18 track album, without including the interludes (although they are not completely irrelevant and annoying like other people's)...

1. Aquarius

The title-track and album opener so there is a lot riding on this song, and it doesn't disappoint. Tinashe delivers sultry vocals, a heavy bass and a sexy rhythm and lyrics making it the perfect r'n'b jam. She successfully establishes an individual sound for herself in a competitive and heavily saturated female market.

2. Bet feat. Dev Hynes

Tinashe continues with this eerie r'n'b slow jam sound that is very similar to Tinashe's mixtape songs. The production on the chorus is really strong and innovative and truly stands out amongst the often repetitive music being played on the radio today.
The outro to the song includes a guitar solo which adds a beautiful musicality to the album that separates Tinashe from her fellow female artists.

3. Cold Sweat

Another sultry vocal from Tinashe which hasn't gotten tired yet. Even though each song is very similar in production and content, it is executed so well that it doesn't really matter. It seems authentic and, as I said before, really establishes individuality for this new female artist.

Outro, once again, takes a different turn keeping the intrigue on this five minute long track.

4. 2 On feat. Schoolboy Q

The popular debut single is still a catchy club hit and fits in quite nicely at this point in the album as the pace changes from soft and subtle to more uptempo and heavy-hitting.
It is a great song destined for mainstream success and offers Tinashe a chance to showcase her fun, party side and bring some energy and dance routines to stage, performance-wise.

5. How Many Times feat. Future

Yet another song with sexual lyrics, it is fast becoming Tinashe's go to subject which is understandable since she is a very attractive young lady and her vocals sit perfectly between sultry and soulful so it feels comfortable. I am admittedly not a fan of Future's flow on his verse, it is far too aggressive and does not fit with the song at all. It almost became comedic to here him shout 'tun up, tun up' after the beautiful and soft vocals from Tinashe.

6. Pretend feat. A$AP Rocky

Unlike the last feature, A$AP makes a very welcome appearance on this track. This song is an album favourite of mine - I love the heartfelt and relatable lyrics, the trippy production and the stunning vocal from Tinashe.
I think I fell it love with it more after seeing the video last week and really understanding the lyrics a lot more.

7. All Hands on Deck

Another change of pace and a short break from the sensual slow jams with this 2 On part 2 style track. All Hands on Deck is a fun dance track but nothing too exciting and it gets quite old quickly. A very forgettable track when wedged between some real great pieces of work.

8. Far Side of the Moon

This really reminds me of Jhene Aiko, which I am sure is a comparison Tinashe will hear a lot of after this album is released. Vocally, she sounds really different on this song but still brilliant and the production is just stellar on this particular song.

I love the melody of the chorus, the metaphor in the lyrics and the overall product that has been created, this comes in a very close second as my favourite song on the album.

9. Feels Like Vegas

A solid mid-tempo track that you are likely to hear at a high-end strip club, which is a compliment and says a lot about the melody of the song. One of the few songs on the album that could be another hit single because of its mainstream vibe without losing the authenticity of Tinashe as an artist.

10. Thug Cry

A Mike.Will.Made.It production, and after the success he has had these past couple of years, expectations for this song are high. Unfortunately it fell short. I wouldn't say it's a terrible song but, with the bar so high on this album, it doesn't quite live up to what else has been delivered up until this point.
It has grown on me since my first listen but there is still something missing from it that doesn't make it quite as memorable or captivating as the rest of the album.

11. Bated Breath

I feel like this is the first ballad on the album because it shares a vulnerability and honesty that makes Tinashe even more likeable. There are some really powerful and promising vocal moments from Tinashe proving that she may be no Beyonce or Ariana Grande but she can certainly sing.

12. Wildfire

As the closing number on the album, I hoped Tinashe would opt to go out with a bang seeing as though the majority of her album is mid-tempo, mellow yet production heavy. A fun dance number would have been perfect but Tinashe, instead, chose Wildfire, a mediocre pop song with no conclusive or memorable moment. 

It is never clever to end your album so lacklustre especially when it has been ridiculously strong up until this point. Although it is worth mentioning the closing 30 seconds were a nice addition. 

Overall, the album is amazing by the standards of other debut female r'n'b vocalists and in comparison to most r'n'b music being put out today regardless of gender. Early Tinashe fans will be very pleased that this album stays true the artist that T established herself as on her mixtapes and doesn't cross over too much into the commercial, dance sound that she experimented with on 2 On.
I was pleasantly surprised with almost every song on Aquarius and this could be the start of a very successful career for Tinashe if she continues along this sensual and slick R'n'B path.

Rating: 4/5

New Video : Tiara Thomas

A couple of days ago up and coming female artist, Tiara Thomas, dropped the video to her new song One Night. I am not a massive fan of the song although it is catchy and the message is refreshing to hear from a female singer. But the video has changed my opinion a little which is what a music video should do.
Tiara and friends rob a bank and steal a load of cash and then go ahead and kidnap the security guard/someone who works there, but there is a little twist to the story.