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Special Event: atrlcritic | Ed Sheeran's new songs after the upgrade
Member Since: 2/5/2014
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Tove Lo - Queen of The Clouds

Queen Of The Clouds is the major label debut for Swedish singer Tove Nilsson. Currently, she is enjoying a hit with the song Habits (Stay High) which is slowly bubbling its way up the charts. Habits (Stay High) is pretty indicative of the sound of the rest of the album; that song is concerned with self-destruction on a nightly basis in a similar way as Sia's Chandelier from earlier this year. Unlike the Sia song, Habits (Stay High) does not aim to lift off and be a big pop song, it celebrates the day to day destruction (from a failed relationship in this case) with a song that drags on and on, plodding its way through every minute reflecting the daily crawl through habits.
The rest of the album takes a queue from Habits and it's likely that if you're on board with Habits, you will be on board with the rest of the album. Most of the album focuses on varying phases of a relationship. It's sequenced well, split into sections: The Sex, The Love, and The Pain going from the beginnings of the relationship to the end. Each section follows it's theme musically. The Sex focuses on attraction lyrically and musically is more sensual pop. The Love has big choruses and focuses on the different aspects of maintaining the love in a relationship. The Pain is a slinkier and more downcast section that is mellow and more reflective. It's a clever, if not original, structure for the album.
The album is fine. The music is nothing different from what you would hear on any major pop release, especially a pop release from any Scandinavian musician (or Dr. Luke or Max Martin produced track). Truthfully, there really isn't anything to give Tove a unique voice and the album really bogs down especially when you consider that Miley Cyrus already essentially made this very album with Bangerz (similar music style, similar sounding singers, similar subject matter for the songs) except Miley's training as a pop star helped sell Bangerz and make it infinitely better than Queen of The Clouds. Queen Of The Clouds is fine, but nothing to get excited about, it's as
eventful as an album as Habits the song.
Grade: C-
My Reviews
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Member Since: 8/28/2012
Posts: 34,863
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Queen of the Clouds
Tove Lo
As a massively hyped artist on ATRL, one had to wonder what's so special about this young lady to get everyone thirsting over her. It took me one month to realize that "Yeah, this is the Tove Lo - Habits songs everyone was talking about" after hearing it on the radio almost everyday.
Queen of the Clouds, in short, and if described in one word, it would be Fresh. The album, just like every album, has its highs and lows, but the overall atmosphere of the songs is just new and fresh. Habits was the right song to introduce Tove Lo's sound to everyone.
Highlights? For starters, we have Got Love, aka the best song on the album, with that orgasmic eargasmic chorus. There's also the Habits remix, which is a rare case of a remix making a song sound better and more polished. My Gun, Timebomb and Like 'Em Young are also some of the good and enjoyable songs on the album.
Disappointments? There's 2 letdowns on the albums. First the songs that go nowhere (see: Crave, Run On Love and The Way That I Am), and then there's those good tracks, but with very repetitive parts (Like Em Young being the best example of this. A 10, which ended up being a 7 because the gap was filled an over-and-over repetition).
Overall, the album is definitely a great effort for a debut album. Not bad Tove, not bad.
Highlights:- Got Love
- Habits Remix
- My Gun
- Timebomb
Disappointments:- Run On Love
- Crave
- The Way That I Am
- Thousand Miles
My Gun: 8.5
Like 'Em Young: 7
Talking Body: 6
Timebomb: 8.5
Moments: 5.5
The Way That I Am: 4
Got Love: 10
Not On Drugs: 7
Thousand Miles: 5
Habits (Stay High): 8
This Time Around: 6
Run On Love: 3
Habits (Remix): 9.5
Love Ballad: 8
Crave: 2
66/100
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 37,384
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Working on my Hozier review at the moment. The only problem is some of the songs sound so similar I can't remember which is which 
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Member Since: 8/31/2013
Posts: 6,548
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Tinashe's debut album is something I've been looking forward to ever since hearing her Blackwater mixtape a few months ago, which I recommend everyone check out, its quite good. Her voice is very pop friendly, but also has interesting texture, and her songwriting and hooks are generally solid. The urban smash hit, 2 On definitely seemed like a departure from her usual sound, so I was also curious and a little apprehensive about her artisitc evolution. Note: The album features interludes but I wont be talking about them unless I particularly like them
Aquarius: The title track definitely sets a cool tone for the album. I really like the vibe of the track, even if its not that exciting. Like many songs on this album, it picks up in the second half. I really appreciate this track after listening a couple times, but its not neccesarily the most exciting way to start off the album
Bet: I really like this song instrumentally. Its very interesting, especially at the end. The vocals are sultry and work very well with this style. The lyrics are decent, but far from the best on the album. Overall an enjoyable track.
Cold Sweat: This song takes a while to get going but the climax of the song is really beautiful. I love the lyrics throughout the song too. Definitely a different feel than the previous 2 tracks but not so much so that it feels jarring.
2 On: I really enjoy this track, or at least I did until DJ Mustard productions took over the radio and due to repitition I became completely turned off by anything of this sound. Its a fun bop with a cute video. However, like I said, I've grown so weary of this type of production that I can hardly stand to listen to it at this point. Also, it sounds a bit out of place on the album.
How Many Times: This song would be good if not for Future's abysmal verse. Tinashe's vocals on this track seem a little bland, but theyre solid, and the melody is quite catchy. Future completely ruins the flow of the song and takes me out of it. He only has one flow (that unimpressive 'Same Damn Time' flow he ran into the ground a long time ago) and is lyrically unimpressive. Shame about that because there's a really nice Janet sample on this song and a single worthy hook.
Pretend: The Rocky verse on here is, thankfully, better than the Future verse on the previous track. Unfortunately, the song is very boring, despite the very relateable lyrics. Nothing special here.
All Hands On Deck: Seems to be a fan favorite already. I enjoy the track, but it doesn't impress me an awful lot to be honest. I think its the type of song that sounds amazing in a party or dance setting, but is nothing special when youre actually listening to it as part of an album. Should definitely be an urban single.
Indigo Child Interlude: Its a shame that this 'song' is only 1:30 because its one of my favorites on the album. The instrumental is beautiful and a little haunting and I like the mood very much. Vulnerable, emotional vocal delivery from Tinashe as well. AND a catchy hook. Damn.
Far Side Of The Moon: Another relatively slow build song with a very pretty hook. The hook is sort of like Pretend in tone, but a much better version. Track has a lot of replay value too, I've found. I like it more every listen.
Feels Like Vegas: My favorite track so far, this song is really great. Fun lyrics that fit the song perfectly, and smooth yet textured vocals that also fit the song very well.There is a catchy melody here that is not at all generic, and the production is just great. No complaints here.
Thug Cry: Made me think of the Rick Ross song released recently. I like this song okay while I'm listening to it, even if its lyrically very cliche, but its one of the most forgettable songs on the album. Even just typing this up I can barely remember what it sounds like, and the song just ended a minute ago. Out of all the songs on the album so far, this one feels the most like 'filler'.
Deep In The Night Interlude: I really love this interlude too. Its very pretty and the moody piano is nice. The child's hazy vocals sound really cool. I understand why it wasn't expanded but I still wish it lasted longer than a minute.
Bated Breath: This song is nearly 6 minutes long. It features the most impressive vocal performance on the album, and interesting writing. I could see complaints that it doesnt really go anywhere, and at times I agree. I think this is a solid song, but it only sounds good if one is in the mood for it. If not, it drags and feels nondescript.
Wildfire: This song is very catchy and sounds like it could be a pop crossover hit on radio. The vocals are good and the beat is infectious.
Overall, this is an extremely solid debut album from a talented and very promising artist. I think a couple of the interludes were unnecessary, but none were cringeworthy, as these 'artsy' touches can sometimes be if done wrong. I think a lot of these songs need to be cleaned up a bit, but almost all have positive attributes to them and Tinashe herself has a good amount of charisma behind the mic
Highlights: Indigo Child Interlude, Feels Like Vegas, Deep In The Night Interlude, Bet, Wildfire, Bated Breath
Lowlights: Pretend, Thug Cry, 2 On
Score: 7.9/10
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Member Since: 3/4/2014
Posts: 4,777
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Tove Lo - Queen of the Clouds.
 Current top 5 on iTunes, Habits, led my attention to this wonderful singer, I liked it at the very first listen, and it's a pretty good indicator of what is on the album.
The album starts with THE SEX part- My Gun , one of the highpoints of the album, the instrumental is great and it's a hit on the making; then we have Like Em Young it's surprising how it goes from a great song to a mediocre one, the lyrics are nothing special and the song is repetitive. The next two songs, Talking Body and Timebomb, are good but not remarkable, specially in these songs she sounds like other current popstars.
The second part, THE LOVE, my favourite part of the album, I love the synth base on each one of the four songs, highlighting, Moments and Not On Drugs, the first one narrates a typical girl feelings toward love, it's very relatable and good written, a bit cliché though. NOD is a potential hit, and the dubstep influence is excellent.
THE PAIN again, good instrumentals and production, but some lyrics get on the edge of cliché and generic, that doesn't mean the songs are bad, they are still enjoyable and you can feel her feelings on her voice.
Final veredict: the album has a dark atmosphere, it follows the typical themes for a pop album, but with a different perspective. Some people will find it bad that the album talks a lot about sex and drugs, but I like this, cause it's not the typical Sex and drugs album, (see Bangerz)
I would put THE LOVE first and then THE SEX, for obvious reasons. Apart from that, very cohesive album and good production.
Score: 76
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Member Since: 4/22/2012
Posts: 33,490
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Tove Lo: 6/10
Tove Lo is the latest pop star from Skandinavia, currently conquering the charts with the remix of her debut single, Habits. This song was originally released in the summer of 2013, however it took over a year to finally take off, which is probably what caused Tove to hold back this album until she had gained some more attention. As always when an album takes its sweet time, it causes expectations to rise astronomically so now that we have Queen of the Clouds in front of us, the question is was it worth the wait? Unfortunately, I'm inclined to say no.
Structured in three parts - The Sex, The Love and The Pain - Tove presents us with an interesting concept that could have provided for an interesting and captivating listening experience. However, my impression of the album after first hearing it was simply dull and underwhelming, and even after many listens the feeling that this album is far from Tove reaching her full potential never left. While there are a few songs that really stand out and show why she's different from the rest, the remainder of the album fails to do the same and serves generic electro pop as we know but not necessarily love it.
It's tracks like Habits and The Way That I Am that shine with a production that truly captures the dark and self-destructive attitude Tove seems to have made her trademark, and this sinister yet tempting spirit was what I expected from the whole album. It's refreshingly different because Tove does it so authentically, it's actually believable and it's just too good to have the twist of sweets beats mixed with ****ed up lyrics, words that represent our deepest and darkest thoughts and desires even though some of us would never admit it. Tove brings them to light and she does it with a lightness that's unique.
In between those highlights, Queen of the Clouds remains uneventful, showing off influences from various pop girls without ever managing to merge them into anything surprising. It's all a bit too predictable, with uninspired beats and lyrics that now border on trashy rather than thought-provoking or emotionally stirring. Synths tend to drown out her vocals - which aren't her strongest asset anyway - and I can't help but feel that the album is overproduced on a few occasions and the songs aren't organic enough. Habits always had some sort of demo character, and that was part of its charme for me. Sadly the rest of the album didn't come out as endearing.
It's a catchy record, one that you can listen to without having to focus too much because the melodies carry the song and make it a pleasant experience. However, an album doesn't just consist of melodies and Queen of the Clouds falls flat in its other components.
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Member Since: 12/9/2007
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I need Tinashe to score at least a 90. Let me get a review together real quick.
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,331
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Quote:
Originally posted by Graduation
I need Tinashe to score at least a 90. Let me get a review together real quick.
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Don't rush, you have until the 14th. 
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,973
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Hozier's self titled debut album is a collection of bluesy and soulful alternative rock anthems. It's the album we thought 2012 acclaimed and breakout band Alabama Shakes would make in 2014. The masterfully crafted songs with simple productions, sometimes with as little as 2 instruments or no instruments at all, sometimes just some humming and some clapping, trigger emotions and feelings we were all hiding. It's painful but it's needed and it's real. After all, the real star of this album is Hozier's sombre voice and his meaningful lyrics. His acoustic guitar drives this album and gives it cohesion that links each story to the other.
Work Song, my personal favorite, the song that made me check out this album. I can't even describe how I feel about it because every time I play it, I'm an emotional and physical mess. The song has an attractive darkness that pulls you in and forces you to deal with your pains. It's a very melancholic song. I have a weakness for sad songs and this will be my fix for the rest of the year.
Take Me To Church, his haunting breakout single, depicts the tragedy of the end of a relationship while using imagery from the dark side of religion. Is this song a gay anthem, is it an atheist anthem or just a breakup song? This song's lyrics show perfectly what Hozier is about : complex lyrics but somehow very relatable.
From Eden is probably the most produced song on the album but it's still simple and brings a little bit of variety and a little happiness. It reminds me of Suljan Stevens.
Someone New is a guitar song about someone trying to move on. But you can also take the lyrics literally and make it about promiscuity.
Like Real People Do is a sweet acoustic guitar song with very touching and romantic lyrics. This is the song where he dreams about a normal relationship. It's a little naive but it works well.
Cherry Wine is live acoustic song depicting his bittersweet relationship with his girlfriend. It's not as emotional as the other songs but it showcases his touching vocals and amazing writing skills.
In A Week reminds me of singer-songwriter genius William Fitzsimmons. Hozier invites Karen Cowley to play the female voice that's been present in every song like a dark cloud over an isolated farmhouse.
To Be Alone is probably his catchiest song. The mix of electric and acoustic guitar is simply marvelous. Hozier sings in his low and high register and delivers a commanding powerhouse vocal performance.
To think that this is his debut album is mind boggling, the level of maturity in his production and lyrics is astonishing. Hozier is not only one of the best debut albums of the year but it's simply one of the best albums of the last few years. On the surface, this might sound like a break up album but it's more than that, it's about social injustice, religion and personal growth.
Score: 10/10
PREVIOUS REVIEWS
Drake's O To 100/ The Catch Up 6.5
Beyoncé & Nicki Minaj's ***Flawless Remix 10
Nicki Minaj's Anaconda 8
FKA twigs's LP1 10
Taylor Swift's Shake It Off" 1.5
Maroon5's V 5
Calvin Harris's Blame (feat. John Newmann) 6
U2's Songs Of Innocence 9
Lorde's Yellow Flicker Beat 3.5
Carrie Underwood's Something In The Water 7
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 13,761
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ALBUM: Tinashe - Aquarius
Laced with prowling, atmospheric production and veneered with Tinashe's sexually-tense vocals, Aquarius radiates with all the synthetic sensibilities of contemporary R&B yet manages to ring true with a fundamentally organic and fascinating core. The dimly lit hallways through which the listener is lead form the main aural pillar which pervades Aquarius, establishing a haunting microcosm in which the summers are 'no longer the same'; a world where Tinashe redefines herself as an artist and breaks through into the social conscience.
The eighteen tracks alone are a testament to the sheer ambition present on Aquarius, formed by spooky, meandering odysseys and quick, flitting interludes. While the interludes perhaps don't contribute too much to the overarching story like, say, Frank Ocean's Not Just Money and White, the album really comes into its own in many parts via the disregard for typical song structure - permitting a beautiful symbiosis between the artifice of the bass-drenched club beats and the album's organic story, exemplified perfectly in the faint wails of a guitar that bring Bet to a close. Perhaps this is why the album is at its most mundane when it ostensibly tries to cater towards the dark, outside world by which Tinashe is so daunted otherwise: notably the radio-fashioned How Many Times and second single Pretend.
Aquarius' flaws are, however, easy to ignore when the highs are orchestrated to the finest degree of flawlessness. Take, for example, the Swimming Pools-recalling mood of Feels Like Vegas, where Tinashe's vocals are thinly spread over the pulsing beat like a body draped over a double bed, and its crazier sister Cold Sweat. As mentioned previously, the heights of Aquarius are reached in the parts where the synthetic meets the organic; the fame meets the loneliness. This musical nirvana is encapsulated perfectly in Cold Sweat's beat switch around the three minute mark: evoking a sense of Tinashe's world literally altering around her; as the transient age of Aquarius edges in, the buzz around the music increases, and the name 'Tinashe' becomes all the more compelling.
4 out of 5
Review archive
Calvin Harris ft. John Newman - Blame
Taylor Swift - Shake It Off
Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj - Bang Bang
Azealia Banks - Heavy Metal and Reflective
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Member Since: 4/22/2012
Posts: 33,490
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can we review Froot by Marina?
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,973
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I will write a Queen of The Clouds review before the deadline.
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Member Since: 4/22/2012
Posts: 33,490
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Quote:
Originally posted by borntodie
can we review Froot by Marina?
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and Jessie Ware album, perhaps? 
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
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Tove Lo - Queen Of The Clouds - 24 HOUR NOTICE
You have approximately 24 hours to review Queen Of The Clouds if you have not already.
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Member Since: 11/18/2011
Posts: 5,396
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Shoot I'll do my best to get a review tomorrow before the deadline.
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,331
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I need to listen to Queen Of The Clouds and get a review up tonight.
EDIT: It's so long. No way I can get one up. Perhaps tomorrow morning? 
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 27,248
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,331
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Quote:
Originally posted by holyground
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1 review for Hozier
And to think we had 3 requests 
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 27,248
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holyground: music in review


9.0
"i'm in church"
highlights
take me to church
work song
foreigner's god
jackie and wilson
| Hozier
Hozier
Take Me to Church is unexpectedly one of the best songs I've heard this year. Such an intensely emotional and powerful song, yet it's uplifting. This dude just opened up a whole new sound for me to experience, as such I was ecstatic for this album. Right now I can just say that this album has really taken me to church.
The album is predominated by a mix of indie rock, rock and roll and blues. Personally, these are genres that I've never dabbled in, so listening to this is a very fresh experience for me. The album is a smooth ride from start to end, as Hozier runs through beautiful melodies on every song mixed with some oldies influence. His voice too, feels so wholesome. This album basically sounds it could be plucked right out of the 60s.
The album starts of ominously with Church, but quickly goes to the more uptempo fare like Jackie and Wilson. Even though there is a dark undertone in the album, these quicker songs don't feel out of place and Hozier really pulls them off. Probably something about his voice, it just sounds perfect it. These songs are certified bops, even though it probably strays from ATRL's usual definition of bops.
The real core of the album is probably the slower songs, such as from Work Song onwards. These tracks are just hauntingly beautiful and is really what will elevate you to church. Even though there are faster and slower songs on the album, every single track really feels very uplifting and just so fresh. Despite some songs being really dark, it feels like there's a silver lining to every song.
Overall, I'm very glad that I enjoyed this album because this kind of music isn't what I usually listen to. Though on the exterior this album may seem a little rough and hard to get into, there's something so effortless about the album and the overall feeling which makes you think otherwise when you reach the end of the album. Only if Hozier really blows up, this album would be like a modern classic.
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previous reviews
archives
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yellow flicker beat - lorde - 8.8
l.a. love (la la) - fergie - 5.0
something in the water - carrie underwood - 8.5
little machines - lights - 7.8
queen of the clouds - tove lo - 7.4
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Member Since: 5/9/2009
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THE Z000 REVIEW
After discovering this thread awhile back, I wanted someday to at least contribute to this thread since I'm a music lover. So, this is a good time to start this series of working review. The title of my review series was between Flame or Lame or Beat That Beat Up, but I decided on The Z000 Review. Why? Because apparently, Z000 is my trademark now. Anyway, enough of the introduction, time to review an album.
First up, Tove Lo’s Queen of the Clouds.

Tove Lo is an artist that I liked because she made music that I understand her as a person and just made fun and catchy music in different ,but similar ways. One day, I wanted to hear more music from her and now, I have the time to do that and her debut album is out. Now, I’m listening to her album and here it goes.
The album begins with an interlude to signal what is the theme of some of the up-coming songs, which is sex in this case. First up is My Gun. Just a song that is so catchy that I can’t help, but to bop my head back and forth. The production is solid for this up-beat, pop song. The song is basically a one night stand kind of song where Tove Lo is building herself as the one who is in charge and someone worth f**king to.
Like Em Young is that song where it is a nice sing-along bop, but it can be taken as annoyance. Just a typical song that is about liking them young. I’m 20 so is that young enough for you Tove Lo, the 26 going to be 27 this month year-old. Hmm. You know they say, youthful image is your primetime. The song is quirky, has good beats and all that, but its not special or remarkable, just whatever.
Up next is Talking Body, where its about if one treats Tove Lo right, then its f**k buddies 4 lyfe! Body to body and all that making love and sex jazz. This song starts a bit different (some kind of moody pop aura) but shifts to the typical pop sound where it is a nice sing-along, but it can get annoying if you’re not into that. The pre-chorus is nice, but the chorus is too annoying for me.
Up next is Timebomb, where it starts as the piano plays and breaks into her she fast-singing in the first verse questioning if the person she is with is the best thing ever or is the worst annoying human being and decides to go with it and that the worst thing that could happen could be the best thing ever. However, throughout the song, she makes clear that they are not forever and they are not going last and implying that the first time is the best moment out of the whole ride. This makes sense as you do it too much, its nothing special and you’re already used to it. This is where the love life of Tove Lo is about to fall apart since she knows that love is not forever and they are not forever. All of the spontaneous sounds heard in the song is a great metaphor of the song title: The timebomb is about to explode.
I wouldn’t mind this be a future single where I can put it on my countdown. It’s a good lead in for the next theme of the album, love and it ties in what Tove Lo had in mind with her Sex intro. Timebomb is a good song that has a simple message for itself, continues the adventure of Tove Lo, and the sounds in the song reflect what is Tove Lo going through and goes along with her vocals that creates emotion.
Entering the love part of the album, Tove Lo is in love with the person she was f**king with. Moments continues the trend of the booming production with the dark pop vibe from Timebomb, but less spontaneous. Her vocals speaks to me about her being imperfect in looks and her party lifestyle, but she has her moments. Well, Tove Lo, you’re certainly in my mind and this song makes me understand you a bit more. Love her tone in this song. We’re getting deep into something that only people that wants an understandable, loving relationship would care for.
The Way That I Am brings in the dark electropop synths production as she echoes and sings beautifully in a sonically way to emphasis that she loves this person and hopes that the person loves her the way she is since she is in love even if it hinders the relationship a bit. The first verse has me thinking about my personal life a bit. It’s a good song to get into, but it should have more emotional drive to really sell the point because this feels kinda generic.
Entering Got Love and I’m already how the song sounds the second I hear it. I was like entering some kind of realm where all the wondrous stuff will begin. It’s a more up-beat electropop song with a lighter vibe with all the synths and more of a mid-tempo style approach. Essentially, they got love. Carefree, enjoyable love. Good metaphors found in the chorus. I like it.
Since Not on Drugs is the second single and I already got used to it so I can’t really explain how it flows in the album since I’m used to the song. All I’m going to say is it’s a good song that I really like and it’s a good your love is my drug kind of song that makes my mind feel like I‘m on drugs based on the production of the song. Oh ,yeah she references the title of the album here. You gotta love that huh?
Now, its time for the last chapter of the album, pain. This is where its ends-the relationship and the album.
Thousand Miles lays out that Tove Lo’s relationship is in jeopardy and sees that her lover no longer sees her in his heart. She’s traveling a thousand miles to get him back. Really like the vibe I got from the song. It’s the type of sound where one is rushing to get someone back into their life. The range of her voice sets a heavy wind of hope that her relationship is not over.
Let’s get into the lead single of the album, Habits (Stay High). I’m very glad that this is the first song that I ever heard from Tove Lo because this helps illustrate the selling point of the album, which is understanding and connecting with Tove Lo and her relationship life and the experience of it and how is she dealing with it. Basically, this song is THE stress reliever of the album.
This Time Around starts out as a ballad that eventually transform into this smooth, semi-suspenseful, vulnerable, catchy, dark electropop sound that compliments her vocals that makes me feel about her feelings and how the lyrics gets into my head and makes me wonder about the trials and tribulations of relationships. This ties back to Timebomb where the best part of the relationship is the first time that their passion comes together and now, she doesn’t know what she’s doing this time around. That state of mind is sure something.
Run On Love (QOTC Edit) is another one that you can dance to while feeling the outcry of Tove Lo. I like it.
I already heard the Hippie Sabotage Remix of Habits (Stay High) and its not bad, but I really prefer the original as I connect more with that one than this one.
Love Ballad, I can’t say much about it. Its alright, but not something I would repeat again anytime soon.
Last song I’m going to talk about is Crave. This song can be taken as it hurts so bad, but I feel so good and I want more kind of style. The song is not bad, but nothing to get excited for. The production and vocals are on point, but it doesn’t provide any substance here.
Overall, the album does a good job in captivating listeners by just feeling the music in themselves and either dance to it or feel what Tove Lo is dealing with. The album has a nice structure in having nice up-beats, the amount of synths, and overall, having a dark pop vibe that one can dance to. It’s a nice twist to actually dance to something that is personal for the artist to speak out her experience with sex, love and pain. “Queen of the Clouds” is an appropriate album title because if you’re not dancing to the album, you got your head stuck in the clouds thinking about the level of a relationship that Tove Lo has experienced and also she’s the one that made the decision on what path to take on with her relationship and of course, loves to get high in more ways than one. The vocals, the production, and the lyrics work together to make that happen. I understand that listeners will hear something that is heard before from other pop artists such as Miley, Selena Gomez, Grimes and much more and that is to be expected. It’s a nice debut album from this amazing Swedish woman. The album just needs to be more flesh out as in less synths and more vocal range. Tove Lo could be a star in the making as she has time to branch more and evolve into something that really standout. My overall score is…….. 80/100.
Rating:
My Gun 7/10
Like Em Young 5/10
Talking Body 5.5/10
Timebomb 8.5/10
Moments 9/10
The Way That I Am 8/10
Got Love 8.5/10
Not On Drugs 10/10
Thousand Miles 9/10
Habits (Stay High) 10/10
This Time Around 9.5/10
Run On Love (QOTC Edit) 8/10
Habits (Stay High) [Hippie Sabotage Remix] 6/10
Love Ballad 6/10
Crave 6/10
Score: 80/100
There you have it, my first attempt at critic reviewing in this thread. I enjoy reviewing this album and listening to it feels good. At times, I don’t think I made clear explanation on my thoughts on the album tracks and I got kinda of frustrated a bit on not providing more descriptive wording on this review and the environment I’m in ( too noisy and hot). My thoughts on Timebomb is too repetitive and this review seems to be more of a track-by-track review than an actual critic review. I guess that was easier for me to do as I have done track-by-track reviews in the past on some album threads along with my Best ofs and my personal countdown. I tried my best and next time, I would put a better analysis that I feel confidence with. At least, I won’t have to worry about not meeting the minimum word requirement. Maybe, there might be a word limit in the future. This took so much time to do and I put more effort on this than I did on my English literature essay.
Any advice on how to structure my reviews is welcome. I will work on typing up reviews for Tinashe’s and Hozier’s albums over the weekend so stay tuned.
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