I kind of wish her sound was more like Slide because the energy is dead on the album. Even I Can Have It All is another lively record. I have listened to this album a few times. Most tracks aren’t memorable. They are hookless too. Hell, I love Closer to Me and it’s great due to the sample, not what she’s singing. Hard to Love is the most memorable song on the album. Vocally, she sounds weak too. A lot of the record sounds like a watered down version of her EPs albums. I guess they are looking for more appeal instead of giving us quality.
Because it's a H.E.R. album I told myself to refrain from commenting before running through it for 5 times.
So far I definitely vibe with the energy of the first half a lot more than the second half. As everyone stated, the pace of most songs and the sheer length pose a challenge.
My faves so far:
Bloody Waters Trauma Cheat Code Hold On Damage Process
She was a STAR on the BET stage! The performance actually made appreciate "We Made It" a lot more. She definitely needs to find a way to channel those amazing energies when she perform live to her studio recordings, which tend to be on the snooze-y side. A better producer will really do her favor.
This album is half bloat. No way does this deserve anything close to an 80.
I agree with previous posters, there's some good stuff on here. But the lack of tempo and variety is pretty dire over such a long album. The fact that she is a multi-instrumentalist and is so dynamic live always makes her studio music disappointing to me. I wish she'd put that fire and variety into the production. And her vocals are too sleepy, some of these songs needed more passion.
I saved 11 tracks. Paradise has grown to be one of my favorites. I understand why it was the focus track because it’s one of only tracks that is interesting on album.
Honestly, the tracks like Proceed, Mean It, Don’t, My Own, Lucky, Lauryn Sample one—can’t remember the name—are definitely interchangeable. She should have picked one or two to put on the album. I only kept Lucky and Mean It.
Trauma has grown on me too. It was a bit disappointing after their last collaboration; however, it’s a mood based off production alone. Title track is a no. We Made It is a no—I had kept it and put it last on my track listing and then realized how much I didn’t care for it.
Songs I’m feeling: Damage, Closer to Me, Trauma, Slide, Come Through—it’s sad I’m keeping this when it’s boring as hell, Hard to Love. Lucky, Mean It, Paradise, For Anyone, and I Can Have It All. That’s basically how I have them in order.
You know what, I'm glad I did not come to this thread earlier cause I loved the album. I listened to it back to back twice in a row upon release and I had many favorites. BOMM, Damage, Find a Way, Bloody Waters, Cheat Code, Paradise, Hold On and even the pre-historic Slide were all very instant highlights for me. Definitely my kind of vibe.
I haven’t had too much time to listen to music this past month or so, but I’ve gotten around to listening to this album a couple times now so I can finally make a comment. I don’t know if I can fully say I enjoy this *as* much as her compilation albums (I’m also obsessed with those so it’s hard to compare lol), but I still really enjoy this.
I’d say my favorites so far are: We Made It, Damage, Bloody Waters, Come Through, Cheat Code, Process, Hold On, For Anyone, and Slide. Some of the other songs I feel like will take a bit longer to stick out to me, but that was expected.
Something in the water is rotten. She continues to mysteriously rack up RIAA Awards for songs I rarely hear folks discuss. I wouldn’t be shocked if her team is aware of whatever stunts BTS’ team is pulling.
2 months passed and still no words on any physical release...this album really came and went. Mess.
It's sad, but she still has critical acclaim and a great live show to her credit. I actually enjoy the album, but Hold On is the highlight of her career, hands down. That is the kind of music I need from her - bluesy and soulful. Don't is a close second.
Ugh... just let this album play on its own, and it's such a vibe. I know there was a lot of expectation on this, but man, this is just an overall solid, consistent listen.
This and Robin Thicke's album have surprised me this year by how much replay value their albums actually carry.
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