So Jordin Sparks was on American Idol after I stopped caring. “No Air” was catchy and all over the radio, but I never fancied myself a fan of hers. “Battlefield” came out and I loved it, but I chalked it up to Ryan Tedder’s great writing. I still thought she was kind of boring. The only reason I actually listened to this album was because she’s signed to Salaam Remi, the producer who has works with legends like Amy Winehouse. The man worked on “Hotstepper” so he CLEARLY knows good music. If he saw something, I figured let me give her a listen. Ok Jordin, you have my ear, DON’T F THIS UP!
Work from Home: This song features B.o.B. and starts out all slow and sultry and then builds to a chorus with hand (I think ;) claps and it has a nice knock to it. Even though it’s a slower song, I could totally imagine a dancer at Magic City clapping along to it. (no hands)
1000- Her “Oh yeah” at the beginning made me think this song was gonna be lame as hell. The beat is actually kind of fun. Basically keeping it 100 is for the birds and Miss Sparks is now keeping it 1000. Girl, you’re so innovative! I am not quite sure who or what a J-Doe is, but he’s featured on this song. It’s not the worst rap, but it’s kind of forgettable to me. This song is the first glimpse of her speaking urban slang and it feels weird to me. I don’t take her as a girl that says “ain’t worried bout nuthin!”
Right Here Right Now: The beat once again has a nice knock to it and there is an overall airy and sexy vibe to the song. The chorus feels kind of a letdown given the beat for the verses. I think they could have done more with it, but a decent song nontheless.
Double Tap: I can’t wait for people to look back on this song and laugh the way people laugh about Britney’s “Email My Heart” It’s all about doing it for THE GRAM, which all the kids are loving these days. It’s a fun and silly song that teeny bopper girls (and me) will play when getting ready in front of the mirror. Funny side story: I had to explain to my boss what she was talking about. Yes, she’s talking about Instagram, but we see that it’s a jeu de mot on sex as well when 2 Chainz drops his verse. I love Jordin singing “Double tap that ho” It gets me every single time.
Boyz in the Hood: A piano driven track that wastes little time before dropping the clapping and drums that by this point has become standard for this album. I’m willing to bet good money that the choreography for this song will include a stripper kick or 12. Jordin is talking about wanting boyz from the hood. The guys that wear J’s and whatnot. Girl, I guess… Even though lyrically, it’s kind of trite, I actually like the piano on the track. It gives it a bit more soul
Silhouette: This song is a welcomed pause to all that upbeat trap-pop. It’s sexy and I like the lyrics. The track is perfect for setting the mood. It feels like Jordin is most comfortable in this lane and it feels natural for her
They Don’t Give: This is a song written by Babyface and definitely has a 90s R&B feel to it. It’s not vocally challenging, but Jordin delivers the song quite well and doesn’t try to do too much. I almost feel like I could see Tamia singing this song back in the day. This song is actually able to give throwback but still keep a modern feel to it.
Left, Right: I love how whoever wrote this song uses the play on words with “left, right” Jordin gives a convincing delivery of the lyrics. I don’t know how much of them come from her own experiences, but I’m believing her when she sings.
Casual Love: Apparently Shaggy isn’t dead! Let’s all take a moment and clap for that. I love the island vibe of the song. In the era of the flag waving side chick, it’s nice to hear a girl saying she doesn’t want to be just another girl or a casual love.
Unhappy: I like the pairing of her and Elijah Blake on this one. It sounds like a record Drake would make if he were to make R&B. Then at the end, they stop being restrained and both kind of just snap and give the kids out there a few runs to give them LIFE.
Tell Him I Love Him: a piano driven song that has Jordin talking to her man’s new chick. The subject is dramatic as hell, and lends itself to vocal stunts and shows. Jordin takes advantage of this when the chorus comes around. The last minute she delivers some powerhouse vocals that I honestly never knew she possessed. The first time i Heard it, she literally gave me chills.
11 11: This has Jordin back in that Drake lane. That’s no shade, I actually like the chill vibe to the song.
100 Years: This song feels like one long interlude to me. It kind of overstays its welcome and becomes boring.
It Ain’t You: MUSTARD ON THE BEAT, HO! “Need a pack of gum doo doo breath” and “you ain’t an OG, you an OMG” make this song feel kind of lame. It feels like an update to “No Scrubs” but lyrically it just falls flat. The beat sounds like all other generic Mustard beats.
Overall, once I got used to Jordin having a more “urban: swagger to her, the first half of the album became a lot easier for me to get into. She’s a young girl and I’m sure she wants to make music she can hear in the club. Plus who wants to be pigeonholed into “No Air” and “Battlefield” territory. Well then again, those were her two biggest hits, but I get that people mature and change. She gained my attention with the hood-pop (I’m really trying to make this term stick) but kept it when she got to the R&B. This album aims to please both the ratchet and the rhythmic. Overall, I’d say it’s pretty damned successful.
