Album Review: Ciara: Ciara

Ciara’s album has finally made its way to release. This album is interesting in the fact that her last two have flopped horribly, yet she still has gotten chances to record. This broad is lucky as hell to have some type of longevity in the industry without the numbers to back it up. This album has been pushed back a bunch and even got renamed. I’m guessing that Ciara and her label are well aware that she needed to come back HARD. Quiet as it’s kept, I actually liked Basic Instinct and FantasyRide. They were solid efforts and probably could have done better with better promotion. This time around, the promotion feels much more, umm, existent. She has been all over “singing” (not unlike a contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race.. ya feel me? ) for her life. Recently, she was on the BET Awards and was probably one of the most talked about performances of the night. That’s the buzz that she should have been trying to create over this past half decade. Anyway, so here is a quick rundown track by track:

I’m Out: The track is banging and hype and would usually be a great way to start out an album. My issue here is that Nicki Minaj is the star of this track. She starts out with her rap and punch lines and ends the song. Ultimately Ciara feels like a guest on her own track. I like the song and the video is pretty dope as well.

Sophomore: Ciara slows it down on this song, which has a bit of an Island vibe to it. Lyrically she’s saying that her kitty kat is better than the next chick. Nothing too game changing here.

Body Party: This was the lead single and a Mike. Will Made It production. He is the go to guy so if he can’t give you a hit, you might as well go ahead and put in your application to Starbucks. The song is pretty sexy and I like the “My Boo” sample. The video is pretty sexy as well.

Keep on Lookin’: A man starts out screaming in patois, but then the beat turns a bit more grimey, Atlanta. This is a cocky song, but it’s pretty uninspired and I’m not really sure if I buy it.

Read My Lips: I love this song. It’s such a cute song and sounds super sweet. Upon a closer listen you realize that she is talking about oral sex. Sold! I will take two please.

Where You Go: Her man, Future is on the track which is quite vibey in feel. I just really can’t deal with Future on this track and he is HEAVILY featured here. He kind of took away from the song for me.

Super Turnt Up: I was thrown by the title. I was really expecting a track that was, umm, turnt up. Also I need people to stop using that phrase like yesterday. The track isn’t a standout to me.

DUI: Lyrically this might be one of her strongest songs. She is in the pocket vocally here. (read: her thin voice fits well with the track and vibe of the song)

Livin It Up: Another NIcki collaboration? Damn Gina! I actually am not a huge fan of the Nicki verse on this one. This song is a pop song about umm, living it up. It’s decent, but I don’t really see this on the radio.

Overdose: Another feel good pop record. The problem here is that this song doesn’t sound like it was written with her in mind. Something feels off.

So the album to me doesn’t seem to have too many hits for the radio. All tea, mostly shade, I think this album will flop. I’m guessing that with some buzz around her it’ll probably double the 37K first week sales of Basic Instinct, but I don’t see this going platinum. It’s not that she put out a horrible album, it’s just that she didn’t put out an AMAZING album. 10 tracks? Girl, this might be your swan song! Throw a few more tracks that might resonate with people! Also, I like variety from artists BUT I do feel like it’s important to have a sound/lane. Right now Ciara’s sound is her being a good dancer.

I really wish I had the unlock for Ciara. I really like her and oftentimes want to give her an old fashioned Tyra Banks “I was rooting for you! We ALL were rooting for you!” lecture. I can’t think of woman that can dance like her or perform the way she does. Hell, I can’t even really think of a video that she’s ever dropped that’s been lame. I’m hoping that this time around she will turn the corner and get the rest of the general population who buys music to care about her again.