|
Special Event: atrlcritic | Ed Sheeran's new songs after the upgrade
Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 31,020
|
Risk is in her veins. The new single from the unstoppable hit-maker Katy Perry proves yet again that she is not afraid to pursue her artistic vision and release a slow power ballad in the middle of the summer season. Leaving her PRISM sound behind she teamed up with a new collaborator, Ali Payami, to create a Bjork-inspired masterpiece that would inspire hundreds of athletes around the world. After slow and haunting verses Perry goes back to her Christian roots with a hook that makes the song instantly memorable. The soaring chorus is there to remind everyone that nobody can craft an anthem quite the way she can. Structurally, the song defies all pop rules and right after the second chorus Perry begins to prove that not for nothing is she called the powerhouse vocalist of her generation. Despite the fast changing pop landscape Perry shows that she's not here just to survive, but we're going to see her thrive as she explores this new and exciting direction.
Katy Perry - Rise
10/10
|
|
|
Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 18,555
|
KATY PERRY - Rise
A singer for her risky pop moves - Katy first hit the mainstream in 2008 with her brash pop single "I Kissed A Girl," despite the fact it was sure to alienate the large Christian fanbase she gained with her gospel debut in 2001 - this buzz single proves no different.
In a time where sexual lyrics and nudity are rife within the pop music industry, Katy harks back to a sound similar to that of her Christian pop debut, which she last explored with her hit 2013 hit single "Unconditionally." This drastic contrast to what is on the charts is what makes this song stand out so much - it's not generic, it's not about partying, and it evokes real, raw emotion.
Combined with pristine lyricism and a melancholic production, it's no surprise Katy is seen as the riskiest pop star of her generation.
|
|
|
Member Since: 8/29/2012
Posts: 22,883
|
Rise, known by any other name just as risky. There's a reason that Katy's latest buzz single is only one letter away from the word RISK. Supported by nothing more than a dark, atmospheric production only Max Martin is capable of (did I mention no Dr. Luke is found anywhere in this risk taking buzz single?), Katy delivers yet another anthem capable of inspiring everyone from the gold seeking Olympic athlete to the everyday household mom. "And the vultures all start circling" finds Katy referring to the notorious group of Obsessed Katheryn Haters whom you can even find lurking on this very site. Despite these little pests, Katy finds herself winning Gold with this acclaimed buzz single. The American Bjork did it again. It's surprising to find such a risk-taker in the pop world nowadays. Rise, Katheryn.
KATY PERRY - "Rise" (Capitol)
10/10
|
|
|
Member Since: 4/12/2011
Posts: 14,781
|
Rise, the newest Katy Perry hit, challenges Bjork and some of Katy's previous work, most notably her song Who Am I Living For? from record-breaking album Teenage Dream.
The song starts with an icy, dark production followed by an anthemic chorus where Katy shows her incredible vocal power. The song's lyrics are a major improvement from Perry's thematically similar Roar. She shows her vulnerability but is still eager to rise. Produced by Katy's long time collaborator Max Martin, who has also produced most of her #1s, the song confirms Katy and Max are a winning team thus it being the official Olympics song for NBC. After Rise, it's obvious that Katy has matured and is ready to dominate the music scene again.
|
|
|
Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 18,555
|
Britney Spears - Make Me...
Make Me..., the second lead single to her upcoming album Glory (after last years disappointing Pretty Girls release) is a far cry from the pop star Britney was two decades ago. Looking at the writing credits, it appears that the icon has picked up leftovers from another artist (again, much like last years Pretty Girls), seemingly Beyonce, and the sound is not an original one in the charts. In fact, she seems like she's imitating fellow pop star Selena Gomez, who recently scored three massive hits with a similar sound.
The vocal delivery is shaky at best, and in fact Spears' performance in the song actually lowers it's quality. If not for the appearance of upcoming rapper G-Eazy, it would be "Eazy" to consider this an incredibly forgettable release.
Given the lack of originality, and obvious trend-hopping to similar sounds, maybe the Las Vegas performer should cancel the project for a second time, and try to come up with something innovative like she would have done 15 years ago?
1/10
|
|
|
Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 28,773
|
"I will still rise" proclaims pop queen Katy Perry on her hit single "Rise". And, indeed, she does. Released amidst all of the chaos occurring in the world right now (i.e. the multiple Islamist attacks on Europe in the past two months, the white supremacist presidential candidate etc.) Rise acts as an anthem for those of us whom are wise enough to rise above it all. The Clinton fanatic Miss Perry finds her voice in this chilling mid-tempo pop-ballad in an unprecedented manner. Lyrically, the song is no different from many of the songs in her 2001 Christian-Rock attempt, "Katy Hudson". Perry sounds more pleasing than ever in her falsetto in the verses. That is until she unleashes her powerful vocals in an exploding chorus that bears slight trap influences (Pretty untypical for a pop ballad.) The song ends as unexpectedly as Dark Horse did; with the same vocal angst. If Perry were a tiger in Roar, then she definitely upgraded to the jungle status of a lion in this pop anthem. The teenage dream over may be over, but the adult reality Rise promises is just as exciting. Thus, Perry is the versatile popstar we need in this day and age to challenge the pop norms.
KATY PERRY - "Rise"
10/10
|
|
|
Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,331
|
The Lowdown: Basic, forgettable pop song is basic and forgettable.
Katy Perry's latest effort, Rise, continues the recent trend of longtime hitmakers releasing safe, standard, somewhat clichéd tracks for blatantly commercial purposes. Longtime collaborator Max Martin harkens back to 2013's Roar with his use of soaring instrumentation in a power-pop chorus, though the execution is just OK from both him and Perry. The whole thing is fairly plain, with the exception of an eyebrow-raising Bible quotation in the prechorus. It should be noted that because Rise will probably not make an appearance on Perry's forthcoming fifth studio album, it is not at all indicative of the sound she will explore for it. This should encourage her fan base, as any album filled with tracks as vanilla as Rise is likely to be quite mediocre. Nevertheless, though, the track does its job fine, as it slots in nicely on both an HAC radio playlist and in the background of any dramatic commercial. It's extremely unmemorable, and one might think that it could have a surprisingly high replay value as such. But the production lacks any elements that make me want to hear it again- even during the song's big choruses, it's just there.
|
|
|
Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,973
|
RISE BY KATY PERRY
A heavy bass riff and drum beats work as sirens that urgently capture your attention and the first line "I won't just survive, Oh you will see me thrive" immediately gives away what this song is about. You don't have to think twice, this is a motivational song. Each line repeats what the previous line already said but with a new and cornier metaphor straight from the $5 motivational book you get at Barnes & Noble. Rise, is very reminiscent of Katy Perry's own Roar except not as catchy but a little more mature. The lyrics and the production are cliché, and that makes it relatable to many.
This is honestly an underwhelming effort from a girl who easily and effortlessly put out pop perfection after pop perfection in the past.
Score: 5/10
|
|
|
Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 31,020
|
The princess of pop Britney Spears was once considered by some a trendsetter. However, with the release of this new lead single it becomes clear that those days are long gone. After Work Bitch failed to connect with listeners and the Iggy Azalea collaboration got scrapped many hoped that Britney would reconsider the direction of her next record and choose to release something more innovative and experimental. Unfortunately, what we got seems like an uninspired choice that has more to do with the recent success of Selena Gomez’s singles and less with creativity and passion for music. The generic production and one of the worst vocal deliveries we ever got from Britney make this track one of her worst lead singles ever released. G-Eazy is there to suport her and elavate this basic material, which sadly turns out to be a nearly impossible task.
Britney Spears - Make Me
2/10
|
|
|
Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,973
|
MAKE ME BY BRITNEY SPEARS
Britney Spears' new song Make Me is a cringeworthy attempt at a sensual and sultry number. The song sounds like an anthem for a cheap Vegas stripper. Her vocals are underwhelming and lackluster. It was honestly painful to finish the song the day it came out. The production is ice cold and not interesting at all. But the lyrics are the biggest turn off for me. Begging can be sexy but there's a line you cross where it becomes desperate and a boner killer. Finally, just to make the song even more generic, a rapper who has no chemistry with Britney comes in to spit few lackluster bars that add nothing to the track.
I love Britney and will always root for her. However, I will not encourage her and say "this is good for Britney" She must be held to higher standards, that's the only way she can grow as an artist.
Score: 1/10
|
|
|
Member Since: 11/11/2011
Posts: 15,290
|
RISE
by Katy Perry
10/10
"Oh ye of so little faith."
So asserts Katy Perry, the global pop superstar who is arguably one of the few remaining chameleons in the pop music landscape, in her 2016 NBC Olympics anthem "Rise". Not one to shy away from her past, she channels the lyricism that people had first come to experience from her ill-fated self-titled gospel album "Katy Hudson".
Produced by undisputedly the biggest hitmaker of his generation, Swedish wonder-genius Max Martin, together with his dream team Ali Payami and Savan Kotecha, Perry soars in this uplifting and moody ballad. From the ominous introduction that she deftly begins with such vulnerability to the gigantic crescendo that she pairs with unmitigated tenacity, Perry triumphs while staying true to her roots.
|
|
|
Member Since: 8/29/2012
Posts: 22,883
|
It's Britney, bitch. Or is it? Britney is back with her latest lead single after last year's buzz single Pretty Girls, featuring Iggy Azalea. This time around, Britney enlists the help of 2016's very own Iggy Azalea, male rapper G-Eazy to give the track a much needed rap verse. Although much better than last year's PG, Make Me still fails in a way similar to PG, in that in trying to release a trend-driven single, the song falls flat with Britney's tired sounding vocals. It's the Good For You of the year without the sensuality or smooth vocals. Here's to Britney bringing better singles for Glory's future but judging by the promo track Private Show (can't wait to review this), it's best we all remain cautious.
Britney Spears - Make Me
3/10
|
|
|
Member Since: 11/11/2011
Posts: 15,290
|
MAKE ME...
by Britney Spears
1/10
In what has been dubbed as yet another one of her "musical comebacks", Britney Spears, one of the millennium's pop torchbearers, makes another faltered bid at pop supremacy with the G-Eazy-assisted "Make Me..."
The lead single from her forthcoming ninth studio album "Glory", Spears' atmospheric take on today's R&B and electronic-tinged landscape falls short. Albeit reflective of a vast improvement (thanks to largely of rapper G-Eazy's delivery) over last year's critical and commercial disappointment "Pretty Girls", Spears' hollow and soulless vocal delivery only reiterates that even the sharpest musical productions are no match for the Princess of Pop's drab interest in making good pop music.
|
|
|
Member Since: 4/12/2011
Posts: 14,781
|
Despite months of hype surrounding her second attempt at a lead single since 2015, Make Me... arrives as flat and unoriginal, consistent with her previous releases since 2013. The song appears to try and hop on the "slow, chill" pop song vibe championed by Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber currently, but due to Spears' dated vocal delivery (perhaps trying to imitate her baby-voice vocals from her debut ...BOMT) and poor lyricism, it fails to match up to the quality aforementioned artists. In an attempt to help the star resonant with younger audiences, the inclusion of G-Eazy does however raise the song up to a higher level than what it would be.
However, this is another lacklustre endeavour following 2015's Pretty Girls. Maybe the third times the charm, Brit?
|
|
|
Member Since: 8/7/2015
Posts: 5,381
|
Britney Spears
Make Me
Making me sigh that Britney failed to deliver!
Britney's previous material has been great at times, but in recent years particularly with the release of Pretty Girls it was clear that much of her spark had been lost. Unfortunately her latest effort doesn't do much to help reverse the decline, instead managing to continue to trend hop in an attempt to appeal to a new generation which doesn't work effectively whatsoever.
On a typical song, G-Eazy's contribution would easily be a low point, but in this context some may find that it offers a form of relief. Something about the song fails to come together, and it doesn't work that excites me and makes me want to listen to it. The way in which the song attempts to capture the slower pop trend doesn't work successfully with the slightly too high pitched and layering on the many 'ooh's in the song. Hopefully Glory is able to server up some superior songs.
3/10
|
|
|
Member Since: 5/27/2016
Posts: 9,990
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 3/14/2013
Posts: 37,294
|
|
|
|
Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,973
|
Quote:
Originally posted by Mezik
The critical acclaim for Britney.. she truly is queen!
|
The jinx
|
|
|
Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,331
|
No more reviews for Rise and Make Me. I'm going to think about how to deal with this situation and post scores tomorrow night. In the meantime, feel free to request new singles/albums.
|
|
|
Member Since: 5/22/2011
Posts: 21,227
|
I can't believe that all the Katy fans came here to just troll and be immature.
|
|
|
|
|