[alexanderao]

I think that a very small number of people who consistently post in this thread have hidden agendas. Unless the song/album being reviewed is by a major pop artist (and even then some people are being honest), I believe that most of the reviews here are well-written, descriptive, and justified.

I have nothing against any artist that I review, but if i hate their music I hate their music. I am not trying to provoke or shock readers of this thread, and I am not going to cover my feelings up a bit just because I know people will disagree with my reviews. Unfortunately, the first few songs/album that we have reviewed on here have not been very good in my opinion, so it makes me look like a hater and/or a troll, which I am simply not.

I enjoy music and I love critiquing it, and I'm sure many others in this thread feel the exact same way. I think it is unnecessary to challenge or attack a review because the vast majority of the reviews in this thread justify their scores well. As you can see, this thread was not meant to be full of arguments.

atrlcritic is a collaborative effort between members and moderators of ATRL to review and rate the latest releases.

Although I personally don't mind all the banter, I know some people in this thread do so I hope people in here can be mature and minimal with their criticism of other people, their opinions, and/or their reviews.

[BoyOnBoy Wonder]

Tell us, alexanderao!

[Matty]

Hilary Duff - "All About You"

Okay Hilary you are really upsetting me here. What were you and your team thinking when you decided "Chasing the Sun" was the more appropriate lead single to reintroduce you to the music world after a long hiatus? Whoever decided it was the best deserves to be fired and needs to take a mandatory ear check because they may be going deaf.

"All About You" should not be releasing now, this should have been released first! This is the type of music I was expecting from Hilary when she gave hints that she was going for more of a folk like sound. This also sounds like a summer smash waiting to dominate radio. It's a shame that she ruined her big debut break with something so terrible and mediocre, when she has this gem and possible song co-written by Ed Sheeran.

"All About You" is that perfect song to drive around town, have fun, and just perfect for summer. My only down side to the song is that it is too short/rushed for me. I feel like they could have added more to the verses and make a better bridge. Even though I say the song is too short/rushed, it does feel longer and flows better than the first single.

Hilary you must scrap "Chasing the Sun" from the album and make the entire album more like this song or more on an adult level.

_

Grade: B+

[Phoenetic]

Hilary Duff - "All About You"

Why was Chasing the Sun even released if this song exists? All About You is multiple times better than Chasing the Sun. It's the same cutesy style, but done right. The lyrics aren't as cheesy (as far as songs like this go they're fine), and Hilary's voice fits the song well. Talking about her voice: she actually sounds good on this. There's no vocal gymnastics or anything, but you wouldn't expect that from Hilary anyway. She does what she's supposed to do in All About You, and she does it right.


Verdict

Much, much better.

7.5/10

[Phoenetic]

I figured I'd do mine still as well as I saw Matty was still doing his. Hope mine was on time

[Raava]

alexanderao

[Matty]

Originally posted by Phoenetic

I figured I'd do mine still as well as I saw Matty was still doing his. Hope mine was on time

You're good!

NO MORE SCORES FOR HILARY AFTER THIS POINT!

FKA twigs is still ongoing for a few more days.

[Matty]

Originally posted by ATRL Feedback

Here is the "All About You" atrlcritic outcome.

[alexanderao]

^ A bit high, but not too bad.

[alexanderao]

The First Two Reviewed Songs/Albums Combined
89 member reviews, 6 mod reviews

The Last Two Reviewed Songs/Albums Combined
25 member reviews, 3 mod reviews

[Matty]

Originally posted by alexanderao

The First Two Reviewed Songs/Albums Combined
89 member reviews, 6 mod reviews

The Last Two Reviewed Songs/Albums Combined
25 member reviews, 3 mod reviews

For the beginning it was due to atrlcritic being new. The last two are from two artists who don't have a lot of followers/listeners and/or just don't care to review it.

Ratings will be high and low quite a bit. Things will obviously be the highest when it's one of the major pop girls that take over ATRL. Like watch when Ariana's album drops/leaks/streams.

[Bloomers]

We're going to review Ariana?

I can't wait to see what people say about her

[alexanderao]

Can we review Taylor's single and Wiz's album when they come out?

And, is Top Critics going to materialize?

[MP2K]

FKA Twigs "LP1" FORMAT: LP RELEASE DATE: August 12, 2014 LABEL: Young Turks GENRE: PBR&B, Trip Hop, Dream Pop Tracklist: Preface Lights On Two Weeks Hours Pendulum Video Girl Numbers Closer Give Up Kicks

---

While her EP's seemed to be promising enough and built tons of anticipation leading up to her debut "LP1", Tahliah aka Twigs just didn't give me that push yet. That was until the premiere of one of the best singles of 2014, "Two Weeks", and now that the album is here it's just exceeded my expectations.
The album has some of the most progressive synthesis of R&B and experimental pop you'd ever hear but then there are songs that are commercial-sounding enough for pop listeners that aren't into this kind of music to get into. It has replay value, it has the hooks and memorable choruses, but it's just not your standard top 40 'verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge' and that's fine - it doesn't need to be. It's offbeat but it still has melodies.
The production is phenomenal and although some might say it's the best component of the album... I don't think it would be as great if her voice wasn't on it; her voice needs the recognition it deserves. Her vocal delivery is just so sexy, dreamy, soft and soothing. The subject matter makes this quite a personal album; so depressing and so much insecurity but then there's also sensuality, lust, and confidence on these tracks.
FKA Twigs is easily the most innovative among her peers unless Tinashe or Banks can cook up something that will top this (which I'm sure I'll like regardless) but I doubt it. I understand this album may be complex and so hard to listen for some, it's just not for everyone. Twigs is currently carrying the torch for alternative r&b and holding down the title of album of the year (so far). [A]

The finest bits:
The chorus in "Lights On".
The abstract beats in "Preface".
The percussion in "Two Weeks".
The loops and synthesizers in "Numbers".
The vocal delivery and different vocal styles in "Pendulum" and "Video Girl".
The album closer "Kicks".

Stand-out tracks:
"Lights On", "Give Up", Two Weeks", "Kicks", "Pendulum"

Weakest track:
"Hours"

[Bloomers]

Completely agree with your finest bits. That whole section is a nice touch.

[holyground]

holyground: music in review

8.0 "sonically impressive" highlights two weeks pendulum video girl

LP1 FKA twigs FKA twigs a.k.a. former Jessie J backup dancer, has been hyped up for quite a while now. Not to mention, this is just her debut album. So, it was rather nerve-wrecking to uncover this album for myself. Futhermore, from what I've heard, she makes very strange music which might not sit well with my pop-leaning ears. Thankfully, it was not one bit disappointing. The production is the one thing that stands out and the main centerpiece of this whole album. If you've got good headsets, this will be a total eargasm. I don't even know how to explain it, but the synths and instruments flowing back is just mesmerizing and just so impressive to listen to. Also, Tahliah's vocals are light and sweet, blending in well with the music, as though it's just another line of instrumentation in the stellar production. There isn't really much downsides of the album, other than some of the tracks being very minimalistic that it is hard to capture my attention throughout the song. But, that's probably because I love pop music the most and that means I always look out for melodies. Then again, she does have a couple tracks which perfectly meld graceful melodies into the production, such as in Two Weeks, which I'm sure is the favourite of many too. Overall, this album is not meant to work as individual tracks, but a cohesive album that presents all sorts of sounds and sonics to create a work that is a feast for the ears.

previous reviews

archives

...

anaconda - nicki minaj - 5.9

***flawless (remix) [feat. nicki minaj] - beyoncé - 7.5

pixie lott - pixie lott - 6.5

all about you - hilary duff - 6.9

shake it off - taylor swift - coming soon

[enxe]

I will review something someday...

I'm just a bit lazy tbh

[qurl]

LP1 || FKA TWIGS

When you watch the video for 'Two Weeks', there's a lot to initially take in. Assuming it's your first encounter with artist-on-the-rise FKA twigs (as it was mine), the image of her as a giant, glowing Goddess is enough to intrigue, but it's actually the wispy cooing of her voice that asserts her dominance. She is in control as she tells her lover how she knows that it hurts, she can **** him better, etc. but really the true enigmatic nature of the song comes from the marriage of the pulsating production matched with twigs' commanding yet delicate vocals. These two elements often work in tandem on 'LP1', which is why the material itself sounds so jarring and still, somehow, so inviting. A collection of door-creaking beats and trickles crack over the restraint in the singer's voice, until the songs explode into those moments where it feels like you laying down after you just took your first hit of weed. Well.. a more accurate description would be weed laced with Xanax, acid, and a bit of that euphoric feel of MDMA, but these references are all just a testament to how addictive this material can be. Tracks like 'Give Up', 'Numbers', 'Lights On' and the aforementioned 'Two Weeks' are essentially aural crack, and some of the most easily listenable songs on the record whereas 'Pendulum' and 'Kicks' seem more like deeper cuts that fans can try to pensively tackle the meaning of when they're feeling daring and willing enough.

For me, there's definitely room for improvement. The production can sound a bit haphazard at times, but for the songs in particular it matches pretty well thematically, and in the midst of all the noise it feels like you're listening to the inner thoughts of a genius who is struggling (but still succeeding) at articulating her most personal and darkest desires. And an album without imperfections isn't any fun to listen to anyway. What makes 'LP1' so enjoyable is that within all of the imperfections, you're hearing an artist who is assertively declaring herself as someone who needs to be heard.

A-

[Maiko]

yas qurl, come thru.

[Jameson Teqkilla]

FKA Twigs - LP1
The First Lady of PBR&B Has Claimed Her Throne

Since the rise of artists such as The Weeknd and Frank Ocean, many female acts have attempted to secure their slot as a female in the rapidly growing, progressive genre. Unfortunately, not only have many of them failed to break through to the mainstream, many have completely failed to bring a unique voice, sound, and perspective to the table. Some sound like they're trying to be the female Weeknd. Others sound like a blatant major label attempt to cash-in on the trend with a pretty girl. And then you have FKA Twigs.

Yes, FKA suffers from same of the same pitfalls as other PBR&B girls. The Aaliyah influence on her voice is blatant, and oftentimes the production (intentionally) swallows up her voice. But FKA also brings something to the table that other girls don't, even with both of these traits. Her voice channels Aaliyah, yet also channels Bjork. She doesn't let her voice simply be swallowed by instruments. She throws in car alarms, car horns, shakers, and many other abrasive and aggressive sounds that create such a full soundscape and mood that you simply can't fault her for being so maximal. There's also many points on the album, such as the hook of "Kicks" or the verse of "Video Girl" where she lets everything become stripped back, and you realize she really can emote with her voice quite well.

Thematically, LP1 deals with the juxtaposition of wanting and desiring love, but feeling alone and struggling with a sense of self-worth in and out of relationships. Preface begins with "I love another and thus I hate myself," and this theme is explored throughout the rest of the album. Lights On is the first full length track of the album, and the clear highlight, with a chorus that exposes Twigs' innermost workings: "When I trust you we can do it with the lights on." Her ability to deliver such uncanny and insightful insights about a relationship strengthens the ties to Bjork and Aaliyah, with a touch of James Blake.

LP1 doesn't have a weak song. As an album, it can feel almost too homogenic as times, as synth washes and sound effects blend from one song to another. But at no point during the album do you think for a second "This sounds like another artist." There's touches of Bjork, Aaliyah, James Blake, Sade, Pink Floyd, Aphex Twin, and so many more, but in the end FKA has her sound and her sound alone. In many ways, this album reminds me of M.I.A.'s Arular. An eclectic, consistent, unique, and ridiculously strong debut. A must-listen for music lovers.

Verdict: 9/10