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Special Event: atrlcritic | Ed Sheeran's new songs after the upgrade
Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,973
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1989 is Taylor Swift first pure Pop album. It's her break up album with Country music but this break up isn't surprising at all. Many have predicted it since her second album Fearless. I've always refused to believe it because her Country sensibility is what makes her so special. Remove that and she's just another pretty face with catchy hooks that you'll forget in few months.
Shake It Off, the first single, had me worried about this Pop album. It has nothing special, I was afraid the rest of the record would be as mediocre as Shake It Off. But thankfully it's not. There are few gems (Style, Out Of The Woods, This Love) that elevated this album but 1989 is still not sophisticated enough to justify all the noise this album is making.
Taylor's voice isn't strong enough to carry Max Martin productions. The album felt very long and by the time I got to How You Get The Girl, listening to it felt like a chore. I gave it few more spins and to my delight some of the songs started growing on me. I guess that's the genius of Max Martin but overall it still wasn't good enough. I applaud Taylor for taking risks and going out of her comfort zone but she has a long way to go before becoming a Pop virtuoso.
Welcome To New York has very generic lyrics (I hate using that word) and the synths sound like they are from a Disney song.
Blank Space has a great instrumental and I loved how she shuddered some of the lyrics.
Style is the highlight of the album. The chorus is marvelous and the beat didn't overshadow Taylor's voice and lyrics. I've never been happier to sing about make up and mini skirts.
Out Of The Woods is a great follow up to Style but I wish it was catchier. The chorus is very repetitive.
Shake It Off grew on me after hearing it 4567 times on radio. The instrumental, even though it's a ripoff of Outlast's Hey Ya, is top notch but the 5th grader lyrics and Taylor's weak vocals make it hard to love.
I Wish You Would is just a forgettable song, an album filler.
Bad Blood has very weird lyrics especially for someone who claims to Shake Off all the haters.
In Wildest Dreams, Taylor channels her inner Lana Del Rey but she lacks the film noir vibe Lana puts in her song. It ends up being a cheap copy of a Lana Del Rey song.
How You Get The Girl is probably the only song with an acoustic guitar and honest lyrics.
This Love is 1989's only ballad. Ballads are Taylor's forte, she should've included at least another one.
I Know Places and Clean are just two other album fillers.
For some weird reasons, the "eh eh eh" in Wonderland reminded me of Umbrella by Rihanna otherwise it has nothing special and sounds like another album filler.
You Are In Love is a very good song. It's one of the album stand outs for me and it sounds very mature.
New Romantics is a great album closer and the 80s throwback feel is superb.
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 12,666
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1989
Taylor Swift’s fifth studio album, and her first pure pop album was released this week (October 27th). The album’s been met with an amazing response becoming what everyone predicted, a massive commercial success. Pop records having little to no substance to them often, Taylor Swift debunks this entire accusation with sixteen track album that showcases off what she’s been meant to do, sing and write pop music. The album features incredible production, melodies, and lastly vocals. On almost every track, Swift belts out notes that could place her amongst her contemporaries in terms of vocals. What’s most surprising about 1989 is the quality of the songs once you look at the executive produced of the album, Mr. Max Martin. A producer’s who’s produced songs from underwhelming records such as Katy Perry’s PRISM, JLo’s AKA, and plenty of other records not capable of having any repercussions, his work shines, most likely due to the songwriting skills of the singer of the record, Ms Taylor Swift. 1989 is a spectacular pop effort and is sure to be one of the most remembered albums of Swift’s discography, as it’s a step out of the box for the former country-pop songstress.
97/100
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Member Since: 8/13/2012
Posts: 25,749
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Taylor Swift - 1989
Track By Track Review
1989 opens up with the mid-tempo Ryan Tedder assisted ''Welcome to New York''. New York is easily the worst song on the album, my main problem with it is the production that goes nowhere and the lyrics on the chorus that are cringe-worthy. This is the only song I don't like in the album, it's growing on me, but I don't see why Taylor made this the first track on this career defining album.''Blank Space'' is the second track and it's simply pop perfection. The chorus doesn't leave your head but the verses are what really shine here. Taylor doesn't push back with the irony towards the media, and shows her amazing songwriting skills that are the best thing about this album. Amazing song, I don't see it being a big hit but I wish her the best.The third track ''Style'' is so special to me because I didn't see it's brilliance at first, but now I see it. The flow of the song is amazing and it leads to such a huge chorus that just leaves a smile in your face. Easily the biggest hit of the album, the song sounds like a stadium anthem.
''Out of the Woods'' is my second favorite song on the record. Jack Antonoff and Taylor are perfect for each other, their songwriting and the next level productions together made one of the best Taylor Swift songs ever. ''All You Had To Do Was Stay'' is (another) perfect pop song only Taylor and Max could create together. It's the biggest chorus on the album, it can't leave your head. Huge hit if it gets released.''Shake It Off'' is a song that I liked for ten days, only liked. After that I saw that the song production is very unique, the lyrics are clever and only Taylor could carry it. I wasn't the only one considering it's one of the biggest hits WW in 2014.''I Wish You Would'' is another favorite. I stan for Jack and Taylor together, I wish she made her next record only with him. The lyrics and production are perfect, another epic moment on this amazing album.
''Bad Blood'' is my third favorite, I'm very happy that Taylor delivered with this because it was the track that I was looking forward the most. It's amazing, it's euphoric, it makes you want to dance. It will be a huge single.''Wildest Dreams'' is a nice song. It's SO Lana Del Rey and people are not seeing it. Lana's influence on Taylor's vocals and lyrics on this track is amazing for me as a fan on both artists. ''How You Get the Girl'' is another pop perfection moment on the album. The lyrics are amazing as usual for Taylor. ''This Love'' is a perfect ballad. People are not giving it the amount of attention that it desearves because it's in the middle of an epic record, which is a shame.''I Know Places'' is absolutely beautiful, I love it so much. Ryan managed to do everything that he hasn't with NY with this one. Huge stadium anthem.
''Clean'' is my favorite song on the album and probably one of my favorite Taylor Swift songs of all time. I don't even know what to say about this track without getting emotional. The emotion Taylor carries the song is the best moment on the whole record. The chorus is magnificent, when Taylor says ''Pouring'' you can feel her pain, that's good songwriting. It makes me feel so good, it's such a calm song but the emotion elevates it to an epic level. Easily the best song on the record, a legendary song.
1989 is my favorite album this year. It stands out because of Taylor's flawless songwriting and incredible production. She is the biggest and the best pop star on Earth. As of her other albums, this is my third favorite after Speak Now and Red.
10/10
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Member Since: 8/13/2012
Posts: 25,749
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@Superpower The song is called ''You ARE in love''. Check iTunes
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Member Since: 7/9/2010
Posts: 42,506
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Quote:
Originally posted by YR.
Iggy Azalea - Beg For It
Iggy's new single is a continuation of the career path she is paving towards a pop fan base. Unlike the other singles, that clicked with the GP because they were ''new'', this won't have the same luck. The song doesn't go anywhere, the structre is awful and it has the same problem as Black Widow, the climax of the track doesn't happen and it's frustrating. Iggy's rap skills are as usual very bad, the lyrics have no impact and they are talking about the same ''haters gonna hate'', ''i have money'' type of stuff that simply doesn't cut it anymore in 2014. Mo's chorus lacks personality, something that is very different than what she usually does (i'm a fan), it seems like she was asked to tone down her personality which makes me feel uncomfortable. It doesn't sound like Mo, it sounds like Charli. Last but not least, the song is a carbon copy of Fancy just like Widow was a carbon copy of Dark Horse, this fact shows that Iggy is not here for musical evolution and only here for quick singles. Let's see where this takes her.
1/10 |
Petition for this review not to count as user is a known Iggy hater
Exhibit A:
Quote:
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Iggy's rap skills are as usual very bad
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,331
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Quote:
Originally posted by Remixed
Petition for this review not to count as user is a known Iggy hater
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Quote:
Originally posted by Dawn
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The review justified its score and although I don't agree with it I respect his opinion. It will count, no matter what anyone says. 
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Member Since: 8/13/2012
Posts: 25,749
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Quote:
Originally posted by Remixed
Petition for this review not to count as user is a known Iggy hater
Exhibit A:
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Nothing wrong with my review, I was talking about the song. And all the things I said are subjective. It's called having an opinion. Not going to argue here, my review is perfectly fine and it should count
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,973
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Quote:
Originally posted by YR.
@Superpower The song is called ''You ARE in love''. Check iTunes
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Thank you 
It's not available on iTunes here  It's such a great song, it deserved to be on the main tracklist.
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Member Since: 8/13/2012
Posts: 25,749
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Quote:
Originally posted by Superpower
Thank you
It's not available on iTunes here It's such a great song, it deserved to be on the main tracklist. |
It's such an AMAZING song! I didn't talk about the deluxe tracks on mine because i'm sleepy but I love all of them
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Member Since: 8/13/2012
Posts: 25,749
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Quote:
Originally posted by alexanderao
The review justified its score and although I don't agree with it I respect his opinion. It will count, no matter what anyone says. |
Thank you
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Member Since: 1/8/2012
Posts: 26,732
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Iggy Azalea - Beg For It
It seems as though is Iggy is trying very hard to keep herself relevant with her newly released song, titled "Beg For It". On first listen, it screams Fancy 2.0. It isn't too hard to figure that she is trying to replicate the success of Fancy; similar song structure, with a feature added on. I wish she didn't have to recycle the same old formula for success. I hope she can at least be a little more creative with her singles later on down the road. That being said, this single is underwhelming in every sense of the word. I've never been a fan of Iggy's rapping and the song does nothing to change my opinion on it. The beat is pretty decent. MO's chill vocals are the best part.The fact that this is a Fancy 2.0 kills the excitement of a new Iggy single for me. Overall, the song is mundane and nothing out of the ordinary for Iggy Iggz, and I'm not a fan of rehashes.
3/10
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 37,384
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Quote:
Originally posted by alexanderao
Great! I'd like to review it as well. I'll start it tomorrow.
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Good, because I would continue to spam this thread with requests if we didnt start it 
Get ready for my 500 word review 
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 4/24/2011
Posts: 8,547
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Kiesza - 'Sound of a Woman'
Kiesza - ‘Sound of a Woman’ —- (7.5)
Genre: Dance-Pop, UK Garage, Deep House, Contemporary R&B
(LokalLegend/Island; October 21st, 2014) //
Saying that “the 90’s are back” musically, it’s a quite complicated statement to make. Sure, Disclosure, Duke Dumont, Clean Bandit and many other acts are taking over the charts worldwide (and specially in the UK) - but we needed a popstar to take that Pop-meets-90’s Electronic music sound. We thought Katy B was the answer to that, but Canadian singer/songwriter Kiesza took it to the charts with her enormous smash hit "Hideaway".
Here, on her debut album, 'Sound of a Woman', Kiesza tries to recreate the successful song a few more times, sometimes, she does it successfully, like for example, "Giant in My Heart" or "No Enemiesz", but sometimes, it’s quite disappointing, as we can see in, for example, "The Love".
There is some R&B here as well, which is done, obviously, on an extremely 90’s-esque way… sometimes. When it’s done on a retro way, things can go either great or really bad. "Vietnam" (not related to the Crystal Castles’ song) and the title track are really good, the latter one being a quite epic ballad, but "Losin’ My Mind" and “Bad Thing” just don’t bring anything interesting to the table.
When it is done the modern way, though. THAT is amazing. "So Deep" and "Piano" are two soft, sexy, smooth yet energetic alt-R&B songs that mixes Jessie Ware’s sound with that of Kelela’s. I believe that if the entirety of the album would have been like that, we would definitely have one of the albums of the year.
This album is no way bad, and in tracks like the cover of Haddaway’s smash hit "What Is Love?", she proves how powerful and huge her voice can be. But musically, she has a lot to prove, and she hasn’t got to reach the heights of, say, Katy B. But I forgive her. Because, yeah, it is relatively easy to make three or four smash hits, but to make a entire album full of those? It’s quite complicated, in my opinion.
7.5/10
You’ll like it if you like: Disclosure, a poppier Katy B, Emeli Sandé, Calvin Harris
Highlights: "Hideaway", "Giant in My Heart", "So Deep", "Piano", "No Enemiesz"
Honestly, TRF.
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 46,848
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When's the last day to submit reviews for 1989?
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Member Since: 9/16/2011
Posts: 50,981
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Quote:
Originally posted by Dawn
When's the last day to submit reviews for 1989?
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I'd like to know as well.
I've started jotting down some ideas for what I want to write, but I haven't gotten around to actually writing the review yet. It'd be helpful to know the timetable I'm working with.
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,973
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Quote:
Originally posted by Dawn
When's the last day to submit reviews for 1989?
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November 3rd
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Member Since: 4/22/2012
Posts: 33,490
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Iggy Azalea ft MØ - Beg For It: 4.5/10
Unexpectedly (at least for me), Iggy throws us this new single which ticks all the boxes of her successful formula: stomping beat that goes straight to your legs, a chorus that's easy to sing along to, and most importantly the next potential it girl to sing the hook.The problem is that it's just that - a song built after a formula, which is getting boring now that we have heard it before twice already. The beat is too reminiscent of Black Widow, the hook sounds like Fancy 2.0, and Iggy's rapping doesn't seem up to par with what she has previously delivered with her slurring her verses and just not packing as much punch as you would hope.
The biggest disappointment for me was MØ, though. She doesn't get a chance to shine here at all, merely seeming like an accessory to Iggy, who dominates the song and doesn't let the Danish singer show any of her own attitude or personality. Not to mention that MØ's vocals sound rather strange here, lacking her usual quirky youthfulness, instead coming across as bland and plain. There is so much creativity and energy in her own tracks, she could have brought so much to this collab - but instead it was a wasted chance in an attempt to combine two of Iggy's biggest hits so far.
I wonder if Iggy is going to become the female Calvin Harris, repeating herself over and over with her releases just because she is afraid to let go of the recipe that works well for her and try something new - one can only hope the masses will get bored of it quickly and force her to expand her horizons.
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Member Since: 12/1/2011
Posts: 24,324
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Beg For It - Iggy Iggz ft/ Mo
I think iggy definitely deserves a pat on the back here. She clearly has found her niche and pulled out all the tricks for a nice bop and a surefire hit. The usual complaint would be that the feature overshadows her on the track but it doesn't happen here, mostly because Mo is very very weak on the track. Iggy powers through with three catchy quick fire verses, each sure to be stuck in your head. The last verse, particularly "get up out ma face, like hewjathinkya aaare" is probably catchier for me than fancy's own "who dat who dat, i-g-g-y" was. If this song smashes, i have no problem saying it was all iggy. It's unfortunate that the hook girl is just so unfathomably weak here. It completely brings down the quality of the track. I hope in the future to see some iggy solo songs reach the highs that iggy did here. For now, fun song.
Rating - 7/10
1989 - Taylor Swift
Let me start by saying I'm a big taylor swift fan. I turned on 1989, both a bit wary by the lukewarm prealbum singles, and exited to hear a brand new Taylor swift record. As the record past, i become unable to remember which tracks were which. Upsetting. On second listen i was able to recognize them by melody, but still, none of the lyrics were sticking. Could this possibly be a taylor swift album, taylor whom can make lyrics jump off the page and create such vivid imagery that you feel like you're right there in that room, watching that guy break her heart? I don't know, but it seems like Taylor's self proclaimed debut as a pop star seems to have her hold back lyrically and replace it with repetition and production. And for that, i am sad. Not to say it doesn't have its highs, Style is indeed catchy, Out of the woods has stellar production and that final verse is great. And finally All You Had to do was Stay completes my trinity, channeling her inner jessica simpson which is never a bad thing. This album doesn't have that storytelling masterpiece ala Enchanted. It doesn't have a love story. It doesn't have an all too well. And thats the taylor swift that separates herself from her peers. 1989 can be done by many, and just doesn't being anything interesting to the table
Rating - 5.6/10
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,331
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I will start Imagine Dragons this afternoon! 
I'll try to review Beg For It today.
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Member Since: 1/1/2013
Posts: 17,232
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Beg For It
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"Beg For It", the first song released by Iggy Azalea off 'Reclassified' in the US, features one of my favorite artists MØ . "Beg for it" sounds a lot like "Fancy", Iggy is clearly trying to ride off Fancy's success. Although Beg For It sounds cute, MØ's verses really are the only things that sound interesting on the song. Take them away and It'll just be another Fancy/Leave It situation. The song would sound so bland. Kudos to Charli for always making Iggy's songs so interesting. Besides the song is under 3 minutes which is quite short in my opinion.
The song is catchy, mostly thanks to MØ but the rest of it is quite bland.
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Iggy Azalea - Beg For It (Feat. MØ) - 6/10
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