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Special Event: atrlcritic | Ed Sheeran's new songs after the upgrade
ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 1/21/2012
Posts: 13,593
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Demi Lovato - Confident
Demi's new album also starts with the song it's named after - Confident, which also happens to be the second single.
I'm one of the few Demi fans who seems to be very indifferent to this song. When I think back of when she criticized people who were "confident" a few years back, and now she sings "what's wrong with being confident", it just kind of doesn't feel right to me. Demi changed, and for the better, of course, but the way Demi brings it is completely disregarding what she used to say. Or maybe the song is aimed at her younger self? I doubt it.
Cool For The Summer is Demi's generally critically acclaimed Pop/Rock lead single. It shows her vocals off well, and considering I'm a Rock lover already to begin with, there's no way I wouldn't love an excellent Pop/Rock song like this one.
After the first two songs, the album suddenly goes to completely different genres, which is mainly Trap or Trap-inspired. I'll be honest, I don't really think that the first two singles represent the album well. Old Ways is the third song, which is on its own a pretty good song. The lyrics are a little sloppy at some points ("I'm gonna say no way" just sounds lazy to me), but other than that Demi conveys the song well and the production is great.
The two songs that don't really do it for me on this album would be For You, which is just a little too loud and shouty to me, and Kingdom Come, which would be an amazing song if Iggy's rap verse would be removed. For what it's worth - Iggy isn't the issue here. No one would be able to make a rap work with the lyrics "Gather round now I'm back from my holiday. Long live the queen what the people say".
The gem from the album are Waitin For You, which is a heartfelt song with genuine lyrics such as: "Yeah I don't take things too personal. but you made **** personal. Talking about my bad habits, man **** my bad habits don't act like you got none." Sirah's feature on the song is also pretty good, although fairly unnecessary.
Other standouts are Wildfire, Lionheart, Father, and Stone Cold.
Confident is a lot more consistent than Demi's previous albums, although the single choices aren't very representative of the rest of the album. Moreso, it is a lot more mature now that she isn't held back by Disney's kid-friendly policy on Hollywood Records. I feel like a lot of these songs have been waiting to be released for a while, and now was the time.
Score: 8/10
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 19,167
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Quote:
Originally posted by alexanderao
Now starting:
Adele - Hello
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Will do this tomorrow 
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Member Since: 8/17/2013
Posts: 15,103
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Demi Lovato - Confident
Confident: This song sounds pretty dated and just doesn't do it for me. 3/10
Cool for the summer: the lead single of the album is pretty catchy, no denying that, however the lyrics are tragic. 6/10
Old Ways: This is an interesting song, and the first song of the era I would gladly replay. This feels way more personal Demi, but still fits the sound of the album. 8/10
For You: this feels like a dated song once again, and I don't like how the choruses are so loud, while the other parts feel too quiet. 4.5/10
Stone Cold: Demi Lovato's ballads are always great, and this song ain't an exception. It's certainly not her best ballad, and it feels like a weird follow-up from For You. 7/10
Kingdom Come: Possibly the most anticipated track from Demi's album. Demi's verses are good, but the chorus feels flat to me. But as a solo song i would possibly score this 6.5/10, but with Iggy's tragic verse completely ruins the song, and it feels like an unneccesary collab. 5/10
Waiting For You: this song is decent, if it's solo. Iggy's verse was already bad, but Sirah's verse is even worse. And it feels like another unwanted collab. When you're finally in the flow for the song a tragic verse comes on from Sirah, who should be ashamed of this verse.
4/10
Wildfire: Thank god Demi didn't have someone collab on this song, this song is one of the album's gems and it finally feels like a musical growth for Demi 9/10
Lionheart: this song is great and really reminds me of the Unbroken album, but still mixed with the 'confident' song. The chorus isn't as good as the other verses, but this song is definitely one of the stand-outs 7.5/10
Yes: the third song in a row that is pretty decent. It's different from other demi tracks, but it still has a nice beats and the lyrics still feel Demi-ish 8/10
Father: this is most possibly the worst ballad I have heard from Demi. It doesn't feel like a new Demi song to me 6/10
Stars: what even is this mess 2/10
Mr. Hughes: what is this amy winehouse reject mess.. she really ruined the deluxe tracks imo 3.5/10
FFinal Score: 5.7/10
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Member Since: 8/17/2013
Posts: 15,103
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Selena Gomez - Revival
Revival: the title track is an amazing slow song with a great production. It's really a great opening song to the album, although it also could've worked as an interlude 7.5/10
Kill Em With Kindness: this song is super catchy and definitely single material, the whistle is a great addition  7.5/10
Hands to Myself: what a great bop and still sexy  a great addition for the album and it suits the album perfectly 9.5/10
Same old Love: The second single of the album is catchy and it feels like musical growth for Selena. It remains a great single choice, but it doesn't stand out on the album 6.5/10
Sober: One of my favorite Selena songs, amazing production and lovely vocals , and it feels really meaningful. Just perfection. 10/10
Good for You: The lead single of the album was a big surprise, because I didn't expect Selena to release this kind of perfection. It is a stand out on the album, but it still blends perfectly with the other tracks on this album. And the solo version, as well as the collab with A$AP are amazing 10/10
Camouflage: This song is a great ballad, and I love Selena's voice on this song, it feels so raw. It's not her best ballad, but it is a great slow song and a lovely addition to the album. 8.5/10
Me & The Rhythm: My favorite track from the album. Super catchy, great vocals, great production and the beat is really unique and great and the chorus is pure fire 
10/10
Survivors: This song is a great representative of the sort of music that's on the album. The song sometimes feels a bit to slow, but it is certainly not a bad song. But it could become boring after a few listens
7/10
Body Heat: this is the only song on the standard edition that I haven't really bonded with. It feels a bit unnessecary on the album, but the production is still amazing, and so is the last verse 6/10
Rise: This song really reminded me of Lotus by Christina Aguilera somehow. The title rise perfectly fits the beat of the song, and the song is really a musical adventure 9/10
Me & My Girls: the best deluxe track, it is a catchy, but mysterious track. It feels like Gaga's Aura but then more Selena-ish. My 2nd favorite from the album because of the great beat 10/10
Nobody: another amazing deluxe track, it fits the album really great, and it feels like a different version of Good for You because of the beat. 9.5/10
Perfect: the title of the song describes the song perfectly. 10/10
Outta My Hands (Loco): this target deluxe track is definitely a grower. On the first listen, the song didn't do it for me, but after the second listen I learned to appreciate this jam 7.5/10
Cologne: the song begins okay, but the moment the chorus kicks in I felt connected this song which also suits the album great. 8/10
Final Score: 8.5/10
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Member Since: 8/17/2013
Posts: 15,103
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Adele - Hello
Hello, the new single of Adele, is probably the most anticipated track of this year. Adele is known for her ballads so it was a smart choice to start the era with a ballad. A notable ballad of Adele, Someone Like You, didn’t do much for me. It was an amazing track still, but compared to Hello it is a little bit basic. The chorus of Hello is really powerful, and you really feel the emotions on this song. This song is really perfect and it definitely lived up to the hype.
Final Score: 10/10
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Member Since: 6/24/2012
Posts: 24,708
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Adele - Hello.
Definitely, the most anticipated track of the year, people were expecting Adele to release new music and end their thirst for it. What's more important in this case is what she made me feel when I heard the song multiple times. She made me feel the pain or sadness the lyrics came from, such a beautiful ballad is a great way to start the promotional campaign for her upcoming album due to be released on Nov. 20th.
She also left her soul sound in order to be a bit more pop, the piano and her voice at the final chorus make this song addictive.
Final score: 10/10.
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 19,167
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"HELLO"
ADELE
“Hello” is Adele’s newest single, coming from her third numbered-album, “25”. Since the release date, the single has slayed everything that is in its path, breaking records. We all know it’s because of Adele, but does the quality of the lead single keep it up on par with the slayage ?
First, I’ll go with the lyrics, to be honest, I’m not a fan. The way she keeps singing “Hello” at the beginning of each part, even though it helps connecting the song, but it makes the song more boring, there’s nothing much going on, it’s just a story that is translated to lyric and a typical Adele that we’ve already seen. For many songs, the instrument has helped them so much, but not “Hello”, all the emotions, the great parts in this song is all because of Adele’s voice while the instrument can’t support anything at all, its loudness even makes Adele sound like she’s screaming hard. If you’re a big fan of Adele, you can see that she is suitable for songs that is a little bit soul, with “Hello” going deep into the Pop route, she sounds normal, can’t find any special thing comparing with other girls singing ballads and show a lack of her personality. However, I’ll give her a big prop for her vocal in this song. It’s emotional, beautiful and makes the song bright a lot more than it should be. Also, the powerful vocal is a huge plus point for this song.
Overall, “Hello” is a song which I think that can be a great track for any Pop singers, nothing from this screams Adele, and that is what we should worry. In this industry, if a single can’t scream out who you are, it’s a disappointment. Although it’s a huge letdown from her last two lead singles, Chasing Pavements & Rolling in the Deep, but still, much better than other songs released this year.
__________________________
8/10
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Member Since: 5/22/2011
Posts: 21,227
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I love how the Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato fans are being so immature in their album reviews and just giving their favourite artist a high score and the other a really low score. 
This review thread is to be objective, and not bias. Reviews like,
Quote:
demi lovato - confident review.
okay so i listened to confident on youtube because obviously i won't buy it () so yeah. first things first, not all the songs are trash, just most of them. cool for the summer is trash. confident is semi-trash. however, stars is actually okay apart from the messy instrumental chorus which doesn't even sound like it fits. it actually has a nice melody before the chorus but demi kinda ruins it by oversinging. mr hughes is an amy winehouse rip off which is actually good because demi doesn't sound like demi on it... a myah marie tea. kingdom come isn't too bad, but only because it's a shameless dark horse/black widow rip off and i like both of those songs (but they're both better than kingdom ***). moving on to the trash album cover. well it's trash. the title is a bit trash too. also her name demi lovato is kinda trash. change those things and i might actually accidentally buy the album before i realise it's full of demetria's vocals. okay and the last song i want to mention is stone cold. i only listened to about 33 seconds of this but it wasn't that bad if you ignore the oversinging. okay bye demi.
score: 2/10
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Are just down right embarrassing, and my two year old cousin who cannot even understand English yet could write a more articulate, technical review than this person. I really think there should be a rule put in place that reviews like the one mentioned above are not allowed to count at all. Clearly this person did not even listen to the album and was just looking for a way to be immature and unprofessional. Some people take this thread seriously and offer valid, logical opinions on the music being reviewed and to have these people come in and just make it seem it is a laughing matter is cringe worthy.
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Member Since: 5/22/2011
Posts: 21,227
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Mezik's Music Review ♪♫
Adele
Hello
After a three year hiatus Adele has returned to the pop world and is now breaking records, with more records expected to be broken, with her lead single off her upcoming '25' only being out for a few days. Adele has reached a different magnitude of popularity, and coming from an album that has sold close to thirty million copies worldwide it is not a surprise that the world is currently eating up her new single 'Hello'. Fans are thirsty for new music, and with such a great amount of anticipation for an artist to release new stuff there was a high level of expectations associated with Adele to come up with something that was a step up, or at least on the same level, as '21'. Did Adele live up to all the expectations? Well the answer is yes and no. But you cannot expect an artist to release an immaculate record when in reality her previous work is highly overrated and more recognized for its commercial impact rather than it's artistic merit.
Firstly, let me state, I am a huge fan of Adele and find her music quite enjoyable. Her songwriting is quite solid and the simplicity in her lyrics makes her one of the easiest artist to relate to no matter what one's individual situation is. However, take away the fact that she's sold 30 million copies of '21' all you are left with is a solid pop album with nothing that is too special or out of the ordinary about it. On Adele's new song 'Hello' we are welcomed with Adele's familiar writing style, simple yet very relatable lyrics. In the song the verses are much more stronger than the chorus, but the chorus is easy enough to remember after a few listens which gives it a universal appeal. Adele's voice is almost haunting throughout the song, you feel the pain she is emitting as she is trying to respond to a former lover trying to apologize for breaking their relationship off. However once the chorus hits it's as if Adele is just trying to show the world that she can belt, and that is about it. Although it is quite impressive, there is no need for her to be having a shouting match with herself to get her point across. Furthermore, the lyrics from the chorus are full of old cliches and cheesiness that it does not necessarily work with the rest of the song. While surely this song is expected to be a massive hit for Adele, it is certainly not at the same level of 'Someone Like You' or even 'Rolling in the Deep' in terms of quality, grandness or catchiness. Praise should be given to the piano filled production that Adele continues to shine with, proving she does not need layers of different machine making synthesizers to produce a song that will capture peoples attention.
If Adele's '21' was her emotionally broken from an ex lover, 'Hello' is the sequel where she clearly is a more mature women who is able to recognize that love is not perfect and that just because one relationship ends it does not mean a friendship is ruined.
Mezik's Score
6.5 / 10
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 68,548
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Adele - "Hello"
Adele's comeback single "Hello" totally features the singer's signature style. It's a well-written, emotional ballad with great vocals and simple music. Despite being nothing new from Adele, "Hello" is nowhere near a filler in her discography. First of all, even with a minimalistic musical base, she managed to make the song catchy. Then, let's take a look at the lyrics. The entire song sounds like a request for forgiveness told by phone or written on a letter that was never sent. The way Adele creates masterpieces only using a few simple elements--none of which is innovative--makes her a completely unique artist, who's deservedly enjoying an enormous commercial success.
9/10
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,331
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Member Since: 4/4/2014
Posts: 17,141
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Quote:
Originally posted by Mezik
I love how the Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato fans are being so immature in their album reviews and just giving their favourite artist a high score and the other a really low score.
This review thread is to be objective, and not bias. Reviews like,
Are just down right embarrassing, and my two year old cousin who cannot even understand English yet could write a more articulate, technical review than this person. I really think there should be a rule put in place that reviews like the one mentioned above are not allowed to count at all. Clearly this person did not even listen to the album and was just looking for a way to be immature and unprofessional. Some people take this thread seriously and offer valid, logical opinions on the music being reviewed and to have these people come in and just make it seem it is a laughing matter is cringe worthy. |
!!
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,331
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Selena Gomez - Revival
Members
Score 69
12 reviews (9 positive, 2 mixed, 1 negative)
Top Critics
Score 10
1 review (1 negative)
Overall Score
64.4
13 reviews (9 positive, 2 mixed, 2 negative)
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,331
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Demi Lovato - Confident
Members
Score 71
10 reviews (7 positive, 2 mixed, 1 negative)
Top Critics
N/A
Overall Score
70.9
10 reviews (7 positive, 2 mixed, 1 negative)
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Member Since: 5/22/2011
Posts: 21,227
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I'm really hoping we're doing 'Storyteller' for reviews. 
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 11,555
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The lack of objectivity in this thread 
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 68,548
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Quote:
Originally posted by Mezik
I'm really hoping we're doing 'Storyteller' for reviews. |
The 3 requests are there 
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,331
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Now starting:
Carrie Underwood - Storyteller
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,973
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Member Since: 1/3/2014
Posts: 18,157
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TELLING MY STORIES FROM STORYTELLER...
It's been 3 years since a Carrie Underwood album has been released. Since then, she started singing the theme to Sunday Night Football, she's done The Sound of Music, released a Greatest Hits record and... became a mom! Now, she's back with a new album in tow entitled Storyteller. This album is obviously, based off of telling stories. Not just stories from one character, but stories of numerous characters, of course including Carrie herself. But instead of me telling you what these stories are, let me tell you what I think of them...
1. Renegade Runaway - a fiery opening to the album. With a rocking production and vocals of slayage, Carrie manages to obliterate everyone in the country game with this track.
2. Dirty Laundry - I love the chorus to this song. So catchy. It has amazing lyrics and I love the metaphorical use of cheating here by using it with clothes that have been teased.
3. Church Bells - THE INTRO. YUSSS. This whole song is a YUSSS. Not going to lie, this didn't even touch my top 5 upon my first listen, now it's in my top 3.
4. Heartbeat - this song is so euphoric and smooth. Carrie is aided with background vocals from Sam Hunt. As much as I don't really care for Sam, he did amazing. Carrie and Sam duet anyone?
5. Smoke Break - my least favorite from the album. Although it's the worst song on the album, it's not the worst she's done. This song is probably the most relatable on the album. What I love most about this song is the background vocals done by Chris DeStefano and Hillary Lindsey, the ones who wrote this alongside Carrie.
6. Choctaw County Affair - a very risky song for Carrie. What you have to admire about Carrie is she doesn't follow, she leads. This song epitomizes the message for the album. Once reviewers were handed this album, this song got rave reviews and I can't blame them. It is SUPER FANTASTIC.
7. Like I'll Never Love You Again - this song was written by the team who wrote "Girl Crush" by Little Big Town, so my expectations for this song were over the roof. And my expectations were exceeded.
8. Chaser - this song gets into my head a little, but to be honest, it's not one I've been playing often, but I still love it.
9. Relapse - I actually at first listen preferred Chaser over this. I mention Chaser because I feel this song and the aforementioned song are the 1-2 punch of the record. But afterwards, I preferred this. I'm legit addicted to this song and there's no quitting it for me.
10. Clock Don't Stop - When I heard the title of this song, I expected it to be a modern day version of the #1 hit "Honey I'm Home" by Shania Twain. When I heard the song, I was disappointed it wasn't. But what caught me was the chorus and how she sings it. It's so beautifully harmonic and euphoric. And those background vocals, OMG! This is definitely my favorite on the album.
11. The Girl You Think I Am - if you're a diehard fan, you'll know Carrie's father is rarely spoken of. No he isn't dead, he's just a private guy. So here I caught a glimpse of him and it was awesome. I want more Carrie songs like this. As much as I'm glowing on this song, it unfortunately sticks to my bottom 2.
12. Mexico - unfortunately knocked out of my top 5 after listening to the album the second time. But I LOVE the rocking hot production and how much fire is behind this song. Can we talk about Carrie speaking Spanish!? Like, WHOA HELLO! I wouldn't mind a Latin crossover hit 
13. What I Never Knew I Always Wanted - the song about her husband and son. This song is tissue central. I wasn't really too excited about this song at first but when I heard it, I'm pretty sure I needed those damn tissues. Speaking of, anyone have any? 
...So that ends my story for this album. Lemme go bop to it for the hundredth time.
9/10
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