I know I like to joke about Ciara, but I’m actually a big fan. I have all of her albums and even liked her albums that flopped on the charts. I think it’s interesting that she’s had THREE consecutive albums perform crappy on the charts yet still has a contract and is still putting out music. I also think it’s interesting that she’s a pretty woman, who can dance her ass off AND (kind of) carry a tune, yet she doesn’t seem to resonate with masses. She was supposed to be Janet Jackson’s successor, y’all!! Clearly that didn’t happen. Why? Marketing? Videos? Single choices? BEYONCE? So many factors but no one seems to know why. She’s back at it with Jackie, named for her mother, so let’s hope she makes Mama Jackie proud:
Jackie (B.M.F)- So the song starts out with a dramatic string arrangement and lyrics about her mother being a mother and going through mom things. I was mid yawn when she decides to switch the beat up. She goes into an ultra cocky, swagged out version of herself and goes into popping shit. (and cussing BMF stands for Bad Mother Fucker in case you aren’t cook)I quite enjoy it. After about 1:40 seconds the beat switches up again. AGAIN. LIke does she think she’s Justin TImberlake with these beat changes and long ass songs? I think the best description came from Twitter and was “This is Ciara’s ‘Bow Down’” I mean, it does have the same cocky vibe and beat change mid tempo. I won’t bother comparing the two beyond that, as people should not be compared to Bey. It’s just not fair.
That’s How I’m Feelin’: This song features Pit Bull (damn) and Missy (yay!) Polow produced it and it has a 1, 2, Step vibe to it. It feels very Atlanta/Ghost Town Dj’s to me and I actually like the summer vibe of it. The chorus is kind of lackluster and it doesn’t have the same magic of 1, 2, Step.
Lullaby: The song reminds me of Nelly and Kelly’s “Dilemma” in the very beginning and at the chorus. This track would have felt right at home on Ciara’s debut album. It’s cute and may be fun to roller skate to, but kind of forgettable.
Dance Like We’re Making Love: She starts out singing over a sparse track that is snap heavy. Her voice has never struck me as particularly sexy, but I think the production and the lyrics help make this song be a bedroom banger. I kind of wish the bridge was a bit better thought out.
Stuck on You: She starts name dropping designers and destinations. The beat drops and I don’t really understand it. It reminds me of “Love Sex and Magic” but a bad version. The repetition in the chorus that worked in the previous song just sounds lazy in this song.
Fly: I assumed this was going to be a sad break up song but the beat starts to build and I assumed she was going to venture back into Fist Pump Nation. She actually takes it back to the A. This is another Ghosttown DJ sounding track but it feels a little bit more modern. I kinda wish the lyric content matched the fun bounce of the track. It’s kind of a downer.
I Bet: This was the lead single off the album which surprised me given Ciara is not known for her vocals or ballads and she can’t really Matrix on this track. I guess this was supposed to make her a bit more vulnerable and relatable given her recent breakup. People always gave her criticism for being so cold and guarded, so maybe this was to help with that. I like the track but could kind of do without the random guy ad libbing in the background. It’s hard for me to get into my emotions with someone yelling “yeah!” “You trippin!” messing up my vibe. Vocally she has shown some growth, which is always good.
Give Me Love: Up tempo track. I like the song and it feels like Ciara is in her comfort zone when she’s singing songs like this one.
Kiss & Tell: I just don’t feel much about this song. It’s not a bad song, I just don’t think it a good song, or a song that one should put on an album that is “do or die” File this under “Cute for Her”
All Good: This song is a shout out to her hometown of Atlanta. Maybe I’d like it more if I was from there? I don’t care for the track and the lyrics are kind of VERY basic. If you’re repping your town, you’ve got to come harder than this. This track doesn’t evoke Atlanta in my mind. I would think of something with a bit more of a trap sound or even some old school bounce, but not this.
Only One: It’s a decent track. It’s album filler to me. Ciara is really trying to expand her vocal chops and I have to commend her for that.
One Woman Army Into: This was supposed to have been the title track of her album but was scrapped. I don’t know why she kept this intro, as it doesn’t seem to fit in with the rest of the album.
One Woman Army: This is an amped up, high energy song that I think she could really perform and dance her off too. I bet she’s pissed she wasted that choreo and concept on “Gimme Dat”
I Got You: She has her son giggling on the song. I’m not gonna be that asshole that hates on it. Kidding. I don’t like babies like that. I’mma speak my mind. I believe this is a Diane Warren song and it is really beautiful. The woman really does write touching lyrics.
I really wanted to like this album. *Tyra voice* I was rooting for you! We ALL were rooting for you!! After four listens all the way through I’m left underwhelmed. She gave us a taste of her old “Princess of Crunk and B” days and tried to do some new things, but nothing stuck to the point where I’m humming it or trying to Google the lyrics so I can sing along. After leading with “I Bet” I was optimistic, but I can’t really see very many singles or hits on this album. This is feeling like her last album with one breakout single and then nothing after. (although “I Out” was and still is the jam, okay?) On a positive note, I think the cover is beautiful. I think she’s starting to get her confidence as a singer and performer back. She’s actually going on tour again to promote the album, which I think can only help her grow as an entertainer. As she owns that title of entertainer, I’m hoping she will go into the studio and produce a cohesive project that deserves the title of “comeback project” I’m starting to tire of her comebacks at this point. Hell, Miss Jackson may just come out of retirement to snatch that wig if you keep on playing games, Miss Ciara. You’ve been warned.
