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Special Event: atrlcritic | Ed Sheeran's new songs after the upgrade
Member Since: 3/14/2013
Posts: 37,294
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 | To keep up the momentum, Charli XCX decided to announce a new album called "Sucker" and to release the lead single from it: "Break The Rules". The single is not something groundbreaking, but it's a good song to listen to when you feel the need of a rebellion or something like that. I couldn't find many problems here, except the fact that it's a bit more generic than Charli's previous material, but still keeps a slightly similar sound to that and I can say that she's starting to grow as an artist too. The major problem is the instrumental that comes after each chorus. I wish they would've found something different and then, the single would've been perfect. Overall, the song is good and catchy, but the melody ruins it in some parts. |
Score: 8.3/10
Other reviews
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 1/21/2012
Posts: 13,593
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I wanted to rate FKA Twigs. Then I realized how completely different this music is from anything I ever listen to... 
I really don't like it, but I can't rate it if I'm still not even sure what it is I'm listening to. Either I just find this really bad or I didn't "get it" yet.
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 10,912
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As an avid listener of Charli XCX since she released her self-proclaimed 'witch-pop' mixtape Super Ultra, I have been slightly disappointed with the Sucker era so far sans Breaking Up and Boom Clap. She basically slammed her debut album, True Romance, by saying it was her attempt to seem cool and is interacting less with her fans apart from answering five questions on a Twitter Q&A and giving us a fanbase name which she said she would never do! The other songs released, in my opinion, did not live up to the brilliance of True Romance. Luckily, the rebel anthem, Break The Rules, restored my faith in Charli delivering a meritorious record once again and made me forgive her for her strange attitude as of late.
The song opens up with a thumping reminiscent of something that would be featured on her unreleased album, 14, which is not necessarily a good comparison. Fortunately, her distinctive vocals come in to distract from the atrocity that is the production in the first verse. Hastily, the song transitions into the hook. Charli definitely has a knack for writing infectious melodies. The 'I don't wanna go to school, I just wanna break the rules!' line along with the Aviici - Wake Me Up-esque breakdown were stuck in my brain immediately after my first listen of the track. Her hooks have made multiple songs hits in the past couple of years, so I would not be surprised in the least if this song reached the top ten as well.
Overall, Break The Rules is an endearing song that is bound to be replaying over and over in your head for days. My only major critique is that the lyrics are somewhat childish, but it all balances out when she brings up 'getting high and getting wrecked.' I would definitely recommend buying this and pre-ordering her sophomore effort, Sucker!
8/10
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 9/2/2011
Posts: 21,728
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Charli XCX - "Break The Rules" ... 8.5 / 10
I was very interested in seeing how Charli XCX would be able to evolve as an artist. Her previous album True Romance featured awesome electronic production but ultimately fell flat for me as time progressed. I began to question whether it was the overall sound of the album that had that effect for me, and I'm starting to think that that was the case.
Looking to her new single "Break The Rules", the production features a rock-infused, guitar heavy beat. The production for this new single is without a doubt the highlight. Its just so well done and seems to compliment her vocals even better than some of her other songs. Her vocals have a certain brash tone to them that feels just suited for this kind of catchy rock-dance (if that's what I can call it...?). Lyrically, its even better. Ever catchy with an expertly crafted hook, it plays up on a rebellious spirit - likely a major theme of the upcoming album.
This upcoming album seems like it will be even better than her last. With the hype so far and the incredible material that Charli's put out, its really looking like Suckers will be among my most anticipated releases.
 previous reviews
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Member Since: 5/16/2012
Posts: 12,486
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"Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift
The summer of sax (and, more subtly, the summer of appropriation) continues with Taylor Swift's new single "Shake It Off".
While fun and catchy, the song is unflatteringly simple with both its lyrics and production. What is the most disappointing about "Shake It Off" is that it does not sound like Taylor Swift. That is not because of its genre but instead because it lacks Swift's "touch". Even with obviously personal lyrics like " I go on too many dates / But I can't make 'em stay / At least that's what people say"), it just does not feel like a Taylor Swift song. Anyone could have made this song and pulled it off as well as Taylor did. It would have made a fantastic (brace yourself) Katy Perry and Ke$ha duet, both of which Taylor channels on the track.
The song is definitely good, but the lack of complexity and personality stop the track from being great. Hopefully, Taylor Swift's forthcoming fifth album 1989 does not have the same flaws.
Score: 7/10
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 6/15/2007
Posts: 29,795
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Whoops, I forgot to update with FKA twigs yesterday!
SCORES FOR LP1 WILL NOT BE TAKEN
AFTER THIS POINT!!!
~24 HOUR NOTICE
You have roughly 24 hours to get in any last minute reviews.
The final score for Taylor Swift - "Shake It Off" & Charli XCX - "Break The Rules" will be tabulated and posted tomorrow.
Reviews for Ariana will start tomorrow!
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Member Since: 8/16/2012
Posts: 14,988
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We can't start Ari yet, we don't have deluxe tracks yet.
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Member Since: 1/1/2013
Posts: 13,978
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What about Kimbra's The Golden Echo?
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Member Since: 4/22/2012
Posts: 33,490
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Quote:
Originally posted by Penk
What about Kimbra's The Golden Echo?
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seconded!
and why only such a short time for Charli and Taylor? Two days is so short compared to how long we had other singles up for review
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Member Since: 1/4/2014
Posts: 3,513
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Quote:
Originally posted by borntodie
seconded!
and why only such a short time for Charli and Taylor? Two days is so short compared to how long we had other singles up for review
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This! already 24hours notice  we've had more time for other singles and now it's two at the same time so that's really too soon and I'd like to review Kimbra's album as well. Ariana can wait tbh 
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Member Since: 4/22/2012
Posts: 33,490
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Quote:
Originally posted by Luminary
This! already 24hours notice we've had more time for other singles and now it's two at the same time so that's really too soon and I'd like to review Kimbra's album as well. Ariana can wait tbh |
Yeah, I mean Ariana's album hasn't even been officially released yet worldwide...
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 6/15/2007
Posts: 29,795
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Quote:
Originally posted by Penk
What about Kimbra's The Golden Echo?
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Okay, we can do Kimbra too.
Expecting Pixie amount of reviews though.
Quote:
Originally posted by borntodie
seconded!
and why only such a short time for Charli and Taylor? Two days is so short compared to how long we had other singles up for review
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Quote:
Originally posted by Luminary
This! already 24hours notice we've had more time for other singles and now it's two at the same time so that's really too soon and I'd like to review Kimbra's album as well. Ariana can wait tbh |
Taylor and Charli's reviews started on the 19th making today it's 2nd day. By the time I update tomorrow it'd be given three days for members to review them. We usually give singles 3 to 4 days to review unlike an album which we give about a week to review.
Quote:
Originally posted by borntodie
Yeah, I mean Ariana's album hasn't even been officially released yet worldwide...
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Quote:
Originally posted by CrazyCat
We can't start Ari yet, we don't have deluxe tracks yet.
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It was released in Australia today (it's the 22nd there) and we like to jump on leaks if it's not too early while it's still kind of fresh. I'm still waiting a day anyway.
@ Cat, the deluxe tracks have leaked. We just don't have the two Target Deluxe tracks. That is still 90% of the album pretty much.
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Member Since: 4/22/2012
Posts: 33,490
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Quote:
Originally posted by Matty
Taylor and Charli's reviews started on the 19th making today it's 2nd day. By the time I update tomorrow it'd be given three days for members to review them. We usually give singles 3 to 4 days to review unlike an album which we give about a week to review.
It was released in Australia today (it's the 22nd there) and we like to jump on leaks if it's not too early while it's still kind of fresh. I'm still waiting a day anyway.
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Well yeah, but I think for a decent review you need to have at least one day with the song, then go back to it on day 2 to see if something has changed, then sit down and write your review so 3 days is not that long, especially if you have other commitments.
And I know that, that's why I said worldwide, to point out that it is only out in certain parts of the world. And to be honest, I think it would be better to leave a few days for an album to sink in and then allow people to review, instead of letting them base their reviews on first impressions after hastily listening to a leak.
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Member Since: 1/4/2014
Posts: 3,513
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Quote:
Originally posted by Matty
Taylor and Charli's reviews started on the 19th making today it's 2nd day. By the time I update tomorrow it'd be given three days for members to review them. We usually give singles 3 to 4 days to review unlike an album which we give about a week to review.
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Yes but it's two at the same time, we should have a little more time.. but guess I'll better write my reviews soon then
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ATRL Administrator
Member Since: 6/29/2002
Posts: 77,601
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Taylor Swift - "Shake It Off"
Taylor Swift has never really been my cup of tea. While I acknowledge her remarkable talent, it's just never resulted in any songs that I find great. There was always a certain plainness about her that turns me off. So you can imagine my surprise when I watched the "Shake It Off" video for the first time and found myself amazed by how much I was enjoying the song. A plain artist can only be saved by a special song, and this is definitely one of those songs. It's one of the catchiest things you'll ever hear. Max Martin's production is completely on point, creating a feeling of pure euphoria during the last few choruses. One of the best songs of the year.
10/10
Charli XCX - "Break The Rules"
Charli follows up her amazing "Boom Clap" with another good song. At first it actually sounds better than its predecessor, but the song has a "drop" of sorts that I can't get used to even after listening to the song several times. It sounds clumsy and unfinished. If this bit had been produced better, she could've had another special track on her hands. As it is, it's just adequate. Definitely looking forward to her album though.
7.5/10
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 6/15/2007
Posts: 29,795
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Quote:
Originally posted by ATRL Feedback
LP1 - FKA twigs
FKA twigs | Young Turks | Release Date: August 12, 2014
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80 | Member Score
Generally Favorable Reviews
based on 31 Ratings | ddddd. | dddddd
}-- | Modscore
Not Reviewed
based on 0 Mods |
| | dddddddddddddd | Summary: The debut studio album from English recording
artist FKA twigs after releasing a few EPs. | Record Label: Young Turks
Genre(s): R&B / Electronic / Trip Hop |
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| Member Reviews | | d | .iPositive: ████████████████ 25 | | d | ....iMixed: ██ 3 | | d | Negative: ██ 3 |
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| | Mod Reviews | | d | .iPositive: 0 | | d | ....iMixed: 0 | | d | Negative: 0 |
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Here is FKA twigs atrlcritic.
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Member Since: 1/4/2014
Posts: 3,513
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Quote:
Originally posted by ATRL Feedback
LP1 - FKA twigs
FKA twigs | Young Turks | Release Date: August 12, 2014
| | dddddddddd
80 | Member Score
Generally Favorable Reviews
based on 31 Ratings | ddddd. | dddddd
}-- | Modscore
Not Reviewed
based on 0 Mods |
| | dddddddddddddd | Summary: The debut studio album from English recording
artist FKA twigs after releasing a few EPs. | Record Label: Young Turks
Genre(s): R&B / Electronic / Trip Hop |
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| Member Reviews | | d | .iPositive: ████████████████ 25 | | d | ....iMixed: ██ 3 | | d | Negative: ██ 3 |
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| | Mod Reviews | | d | .iPositive: 0 | | d | ....iMixed: 0 | | d | Negative: 0 |
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YESSS! I was so worried, but she pulled through..
She deserved universal acclaim tho and  at the mods
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Member Since: 4/22/2012
Posts: 33,490
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what did she end up getting? I can't see on mobile
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Member Since: 1/4/2014
Posts: 3,513
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Quote:
Originally posted by borntodie
what did she end up getting? I can't see on mobile
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80 Generally favorable reviews and no modscore 
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 6/15/2007
Posts: 29,795
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Quote:
Originally posted by borntodie
Well yeah, but I think for a decent review you need to have at least one day with the song, then go back to it on day 2 to see if something has changed, then sit down and write your review so 3 days is not that long, especially if you have other commitments.
And I know that, that's why I said worldwide, to point out that it is only out in certain parts of the world. And to be honest, I think it would be better to leave a few days for an album to sink in and then allow people to review, instead of letting them base their reviews on first impressions after hastily listening to a leak.
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Yes it hasn't been released worldwide, but with the power of the internet, when it is released one place it is basically released everywhere. Most people are going to listen to it now than wait until it is released worldwide. If we had waited for songs and albums to be released worldwide, or for the most part in the parts it would be released, we wouldn't have reviewed have the list we have. I hate doing this comparison, but major publications get things early and review things before the worldwide release. What's the difference in us starting reviews early when it is available to portions already and easily accessible (sad that I even had to say that due to illegal downloading) to everyone as well.
I also understand that it is best for things to sink in and listen to it, but if we wait too long then people may not want to review or may have played things to death. Both reviewing things too early and too late can have its damages. When we first started this we had something where we could review older stuff if there are no new releases, but decided to take that out.
Quote:
Originally posted by Luminary
Yes but it's two at the same time, we should have a little more time.. but guess I'll better write my reviews soon then |
Here is thing though, they are songs lasting only about 4 minutes compared to an album which has multiple songs in that time range. You really only need about a couple of days to review songs since it takes up not even a quarter of an hour of your day.
Plus currently we have about 30 reviews for Taylor in 48 hours which is about the amount we normally get now from people. It shouldn't really affect people that much for songs, I could see the dilemma if it were an album though.
If more people want another 24 hours for Charli and Taylor, I can do so. Don't want to personally for me cause I work and won't be able to update until Sunday, but I can try to find another moderator to update if a lot of people want longer.
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