Something was off about the sequence of the album to me... I can't quite place why, but I've killed the worst three songs, rearranged some **** and now it's perfect.
1. Spiritual
2. Legendary Lovers
3. Roar
4. Birthday
5. This Is How We Do
6. Dark Horse
7. Love Me
8. This Moment
9. Unconditionally
10. It Takes Two
11. Ghost
12. Choose Your Battles
13. By The Grace Of God
Something was off about the sequence of the album to me... I can't quite place why, but I've killed the worst three songs, rearranged some **** and now it's perfect.
1. Spiritual
2. Legendary Lovers
3. Roar
4. Birthday
5. This Is How We Do
6. Dark Horse
7. Love Me
8. This Moment
9. Unconditionally
10. It Takes Two
11. Ghost
12. Choose Your Battles
13. By The Grace Of God
Roar 7.5/10 Catchy and really fun song. I didn't care for it at first but it's a nice track not sure how it fits on this album though.
Legendary Lovers 9/10 Great great great song. This should have been the single instead of Unconditionally. Like Dark Horse it follows a certain melody but still retains its own originality.
I really love the drums and guitar playing throughout the song.
Birthday 8.5/10 Single material while the lyrics leave much to be desired it's still a good song and everyone will dance to this. The late 70s to early 80s throwback sound fits really well here.
Walking On Air 8.5/10 This song pays tribute to the 90s club scene with its synth and cutting bass. I can see this doing well on the club charts.
Unconditionally 8/10 Her vocals are crisp and clear and really shines on this track she holds her own among the drums and heavy guitar strings. I feel it shouldn't have been a single so soon though and the lyrics are very cliche.
Dark Horse 9/10 I fell in love with it when I first heard it cause this was something she has never done before. She did trap music justice without looking try hard and some might not like Juicy J's verse it can be a grower. I wish there was a solo version cause she really didn't need a rapper on this track.
This is How We Do 7/10 Not really a fan of this song but still a fun song and like Roar I feel this is a bit out of place. This would have fit right at home on Teenage Dream. Bonus points for the Utada and Mariah reference. but overall it's lacking in the lyrics department.
International Smile 8/10 I really like this song the production and vocals are really good here. It's not the best but still a worthy track that will have you tapping your foot at the very least.
Ghost 7.5/10 I really wanted to give this a higher score but I can't. It's a nice track but I feel more could have been done to this lyrics wise. Overall it's a welcome addition cause she's playing with instrumental elements that are not on her previous two albums. The vocal layering at 1:16 and other parts on the song is really nice.
Love Me 6.5/10 In my opinion this feels like filler but it's nice filler and the lyrics are nice but it goes nowhere. It's basically about loving herself before letting anyone else love her. Cause true love comes from within. Nice message.
This Moment 8.5/10 This is a really nice track once again the lyrics are bordering on the cliche line but a solid track nonetheless.
Double Rainbow. 8/10 This is a really nice track and very different for her and for pop stars in general. She is really going into a more adult contemporary sound this go round and it's working in her favor.
By The Grace Of God. 8/10 I really don't like the changes they made to this song but overall it's still a solid track and the lyrics are very heartfelt.
Spiritual 7/10 To be perfectly honest I had no idea what I was in for when this song started playing. It has a very 90s alternative sound and while I like her vocals still unsure on the lyrics. Not single worthy but good as an album only track.
It Takes Two 10/10 This is a really good track which can be interpreted as her relationship with Russel. Basically saying she had her own part in why the relationship failed while he still had his own part in it. And while he might not admit to wrongdoing she will own up to her own faults. Should be a single.
Choose Your Battles 8/10
This is a really good album track but not single material. It serves its purpose as a deluxe track.
Overall rating 9/10
She's headed in a more mature route and this shows growth not only in her songwriting but also in her production. This is her first step into a more adult contemporary sound and it's a really good effort and I look forward to seeing what else she will do with her newly found creativity.
What do you think?
Single for Summer 2014.
