Jessie J’s new album is ‘Sweet Talker.’ Music critics on both sides of the pond have given the British pop music star mixed reviews for her third studio album; applauding the notable tracks which have become bona fide hits while questioning if she retains her uniqueness. Find out what they have to say.
While the 26-year-old Jessie J is no stranger to the U.S. pop music scene and its listeners, this time around, the publicity and fanfare of her new album is in the highest gear thus far in her career. She’s been ubiquitous on U.S. television, with live concert appearance on Good Morning America as well as a stint as a guest judge on Dancing with the Stars. The latter is not something we’ve typically seen from music stars no matter what their country of origin might be. But one must put oneself in front of the potential music buying public and DWTS continues to be a popular show on ABC.
But as the promo machine whirls on, the album and its songs must stand on their merit, as least as far as critics are concerned. Jessie J has had a hit with ‘Burnin Up,’ the album’s latest single and she’s also gotten a buzz as one of three artists on Bang Bang alongside Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande as the single peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
So what do the critics think of Jessie J this time? Here’s a roundup.
“…. Further training her sights on America, she’s constructed Sweet Talker to fit a gap somewhere between Beyoncé and Pink. The latter is conjured up in Masterpiece and Said Too Much, which are heavy with pop-rock melodrama and strength-from-within ruminating; elsewhere, the brash R&B of Burnin’ Up (listen for guest 2 Chainz being thoroughly upstaged) and Seal Me With a Kiss (featuring De La Soul, who utter the word “bloke” as if it’s in a foreign language) will win over US radio programmers…..” — The Guardian
“…Percussive and pacey, Burnin’ Up (a duet with US hip-hop artist 2 Chainz) is another goer but as these 12 tracks go by, the quirks that made Jessie J’s previous albums notable have been replaced by the hugeness of failsafe producers; and she has taken a step back from the songwriting….” — The Observer
“….Sweet Talker, its 12 tracks flying past in 45 frenetic minutes, is an uncomplicated statement of intent from a singer who once told me: ‘I’m not the best vocalist around, but I believe in myself and I want to be up there with Katy Perry.’ Recorded with a pack of high-end American and Swedish production gurus, and guests such as pop diva Ariana Grande and rappers Nicki Minaj, 2 Chainz and De La Soul, Sweet Talker is low on subtlety and high on precision-tooled R&B verve…..” — Daily Mail
“…Sweet Talker begins with a bang indeed, funkier and more in-your-face than its predecessor. The opening track, “Ain’t Been Done,” immediately announces Jessie’s mission statement: “Imma do it like it ain’t been done.” “Burnin’ Up” delivers on both the promise of that song and “Bang Bang,” employing a similar handclap beat, infectious chorus, and some soul-sister background vocals that are reminiscent of Moby’s Play of all things….Unfortunately, after that impressive opening salvo, the album largely relapses on tired MOR pop. “Fire,” co-written by fellow Brit John Newman, is punctuated by lush strings that recall Lana Del Rey’s soaring “National Anthem,” while “Masterpiece” is right on trend and wouldn’t sound out of place on Beyoncé’s last album. But the rest of Sweet Talker is dominated by generic power ballads like “Your Loss I’m Found” and forgettable midtempos like “Keep Us Together.” ….” — Slant Magazine
Will ‘Sweet Talker’ prove sweet for Jessie J? Will this third time around be the charm? It remains to be seen, but in the meanwhile, as critics weigh in, check out the music video for the album’s second single, ‘Burnin’ Up’ below!
Pictures: PR Photos
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RightCelebrity/~3/4QlDTb1pjFw/
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