Ariana Grande- My Everything Track By Track Review

Hey everyone! Following Sunday's VMA performance, Ariana Grande has released her new sophomore album, My Everything, to retailers nationwide. How does this set stack up to her previous effort, Yours Truly? Find out below.

Intro: This short little introduction track prepares us for the sophomore album of the soulful songstress in a beautiful way that just leaves you wanting more.

Problem: Read My Full Problem Review Here!

One Last Time- One Last Time is a mid-tempo track led with a danceable EDM instrumental track. The song shows off Grande's vocals, with them occupying the spotlight of the track. However, the track always feels as if it's building up to something that it just never quite reaches and is very underwhelming.

Why Try- Why Try is a mid-tempo track that has a marching drum led beat. The beat works wonders with Ariana's laid back vocals. However, while the track is good, it's almost underwhelming, and the song slowly starts to drag just a bit before it reaches the end of its 3 and 1/2 minute duration.

Break Free- Read my Full Break Free Review Here!

Best Mistake- Best Mistake is my personal favorite off the album. Similar to Just a Little Bit of Your Heart, the piano led instrumental pairs with Ariana's hauntingly beautiful vocals in a way I've never heard before, and is simply stunning. While I feel like Big Sean would have been better suited on a different track off the album, his verse fits in well enough to complete this near perfect track.

Be My Baby- Be My Baby is one of the more upbeat tracks off the set, with a bass heavy, drum led instrumental track. Grande's fast paced verses transition smoothly into the stellar chorus. This danceable track leads us right into Break Your Heart Right Back.

Break Your Heart Right Back- Break your heart is a catchy, bass heavy track, telling the true story of a former flame of Grande's cheating on her with another guy. The track samples "I'm Coming Out" in a smart way that adds that much more to this fun, dancey R&B track. Childish Gambino is also featured on the track with a cleverly placed verse that add a lot of diversity to this solid song.

Love Me Harder- Love Me Harder is an uptempo track featuring The Weekend. The song is fun, catchy, and Ariana & The Weekend have fantastic chemistry. This track will stay stuck in your head for hours, and I currently have it on repeat.

Just a Little Bit of Your Heart-  This Beautiful ballad centers around a heartbroken Ariana asking for Just a little bit of her love's heart. The song is composed stunningly, and succeeds in every way. Lyrically and musically haunting, this is definitely a standout track. 

Hands on Me- Another standout off the album, Ariana has officially shed her Nickelodeon image, proving this with sultry lyrics including the line- "Trembling, when you touch Rush is racing body baking Picture me and you making Making sweet love Baby give it to me" (Metro Lyrics) Featuring A$AP Ferg, this urban, fun, quick paced track has the chance to become a smash hit.

My Everything- To close out the album we have a stunning ballad co-written by Ariana Grande herself. This soulful, piano-led title track doesn't even clock in at 3 minutes, and is over right as it begins, leaving me wanting more from it.

Overall, this is well, a pretty good album that's honestly, just as good as her debut "Yours Truly". Releasing a second album in less than a year really doesn't give yourself any time to grow, and not much growth is displayed on this new album. While I do like it, a sophomore album's main goal is to be better than its predecessor, which didn't happen here.

Ariana Grande- Problem Review+Download

My Review tbh: fwemkvlfojgvkmler mfgoirejlkmg vgerkjgkrn wmeoirlkwmdoildnwomiefjmwe foiwefmw efoiwjfmiowefwregwrerewre qwrqwrqewewewqdxgrwgregerggg

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Honestly, that's really all that needs to be said about the song, but if you haven't bought it for some reason, I'll enlighten you a bit on why you're living your life wrong.

The first thing that really grabs you about the song is its heavily horn lead instrumental track. The horns really add a richer, vibrant sound to the instrumentals, which couple with Ariana's powerhouse vocals perfectly. The verses deliver the songstress's powerful notes she's been known to display in her previous album, while the chorus (which features a stellar beat drop) feature more laid back, dream-like vocals, displaying her large range she manages to easily switch through without missing a beat.

After getting a similar verse to the first and the chorus again, we get a guest verse from Australian rapper Iggy Azalea. The fast paced verse features a non-breaking, slick flow, similar to older works from Azalea, including her break out hit in the US, Fancy.

Overall, the song has a perfect instrumental track, a large amount of diversity from Ariana's verses, and a perfect verse from Iggy that keeps the flow going, and makes sure the song doesn't get monotonous. I've had this song on repeat since release, and considering the fact that this has been the only song to dismount Happy from its #1 position on iTunes, it seems as if the radio will as well.

What did you all think of the song? Post your comments below, and I'll see you next time! Make sure to download the track on iTunes below!

Ariana Grande- Yours Truly Download + Track By Track Review

On Friday, Ariana Grande's debut album, preceded by two top 40 singles, Yours Truly was released. How does the Nickelodeon star's album stack up in today's pop landscape? Find out after the jump in this track by track review.

Honeymoon Avenue- Honeymoon Avenue opens the album up with an orchestraic instrumental track quickly followed by an awkward robotic chorus that Ariana riffs over. The instrumental track then moves into a more modern, smooth, bass led beat. The uptempo song gives Ariana a chance to show off her versatility, as through out the song she switches off from pop vocals to R&B riffs on a dime. While not her best, the song is overall a fun pop R&B song, however, multiple times through out the five minute track the lyrics seem out of place, as if Ariana's trying to fit lyrics into a line that they shouldn't be in, overall giving the song an awkward feel.

Baby I- View my full Baby I review here.

Right There- Right There was the third single off the album, featuring rapper Big Sean. While as always Ariana's vocals are very powerful, this song is just a redux of The Way. While Big Sean does add some variety, overall the vocals, instruments, and even the riffs at the end of the song are very similar to The Way, and while it's ok as a standalone song, when included in the rest of the album it doesn't stand out as its own song.

Tattooed Heart- Tattooed Heart skips the uptempo, urban led instrumentals present in most of Ariana's songs, in favor for a much more down tempoed, symphonic feel. The 50's inspired instrumental track is complimented by Ariana's powerful vocals. In this song Grande focuses on the vocals, letting her powerful voice shine through. However, the song is over as quickly as it began, lasting only a few short minutes before we move onto the next track, Lovin' It.

Lovin' It- Wow. I'm Definitely Lovin' Lovin' It! Hahahaha get it... no? Ok. Lovin' It is a very uptempo urban song, featuring a bass heavy, smooth instrumental track coupled with a quick paced verse from Ariana, before the song picks up even more at the chorus. Overall this urban pop track is definitely one of the stand outs of the album, and I could see this on the radio any day.

Piano-  Piano is the purest pop song off the entire album. The entire song is incredibly catchy, and the piano led instrumental track adds another level to this fun, light summer jam. Grande's vocals are incredibly fun and breezy, and every part of this song is definitely a sing a long, to the point where every verse could be the chorus. This song has everything we've heard from Ariana before, powerful Maria Carey-esque vocals, a great beat, and more. The jazz-pop beat compliments the great vocals and just vsdjklvmajfklsdmanfkmvlasf I can't even this song is epic. The only way this album could have gotten better was if it was just Piano 10 times.

Daydreamin- Immediately when I heard this song, it just captured me. I don't really know how to explain it in other words, but I just loved the soft yet powerful instrumentals, and Ariana's vocals in this song are just enchanting. Maybe it's just me, because I can't explain what it is about this song I love. But everything about this song just flows together in perfect harmony, making for a near flawless track.

The Way- View my full The Way review here.

You'll Never Know- You'll never know is another uptempoed song, featuring the most modern, urban instrumental track off the entire album. The song is an urban pop song, featuring plenty of hooks to sing along to. The song doesn't sound like anything off the album, and is definitely one of the more radio songs off the album.

Almost Is Never Enough- View my full Almost Is Never Enough review here.

Popular Song- The Popular Song is an already critically acclaimed song off of British singer Mika's 3rd studio album, The Origin of Love. As the song was originally his, I expected Ariana to change the song around a bit, as the song features much more of Mika than Ariana, however, the song doesn't change at all on Yours Truly, making it sound as if Ariana is featuring in her own song. However, the song is overall a fun, uptempo pop song that has been on repeat on my phone for the last few months. Just try to not get this song stuck in your head.

Better Left Unsaid- I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around this track. It starts out as a down tempoed power ballad, but then quickly changes form, with the instrumental track becoming some sort of a dubstep track and the vocals become a more uptempo urban song. However, as quickly as that happens, it goes back into power ballad mode. wat. Like idk. The song is good but makes absolutely no sense at all. Basically Better Left Unsaid is a song that just punched itself in the face 10 times.

I had very high expectations for this album, and honestly, my expectations were blown out of the water. The album is near flawless, with almost every song being incredible. Another great plus of this album is the diversity of it. The album features pure pop songs, uptempo and downtempo R&B songs, and even ballads, there's a song for every mood, and besides one or two songs like Right There, no song sounds exactly like another. With a less than stellar opening and a clusterf*ck of an ending, the album exceeds almost everywhere, making it one of my favorite albums over 2013.

What do you guys think of Yours Truly? Post your review down below in the comments, and I'll see you guys next time!!

                                    

Ariana Grande and Nathan Sykes Almost Is Never Enough Review

In Ariana Grande's new duet with Nathan Sykes for The Mortal Instruments soundtrack, she tones down the speed of her Mariah Careyesque R&B vocals for a much more down tempo track. The song is very down to earth, featuring only a piano and a slow clap beat to accompany her beautiful vocals.

Switching it up from her normal R&B pop songs, Ariana goes for a much slower, down tempo-ed track, showing us a side of her we've never seen. In this song Ariana is able to show us just how much vocal ability and range she has.

As I had never heard of Nathan Sykes before, this was my 1st impression of him. While his parts of the song were good, they didn't really match up with Ariana's, and while they harmonize beautifully together, Ariana totally overpowers him (but honestly who doesn't she overpower), causing you to hear a lot more of her than him.

Overall, the song is good, but that's just about it. There's nothing memorable about it, and while it was enjoyable while you were listening to it, there's nothing keeping you from forgetting it right after it's over.

Chris Brown Ft. Nicki Minaj Love More Download+Review

Oh hey, remember that one time when I didn't post for like 6 years? Stop judging me. Anyways, I'm back now with a review of Love More by Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj.

Love more features a fast paced beat full of marching drums and heavy bass, coupled with Brown's fast paced, smooth R&B vocals. The innuendo filled song offers little variety, only having two verses besides the chorus. However, soon after the track starts to get redundant, Nicki Minaj starts in with a quick paced, swaggerish (which is just as innuendo filled as the rest of the song) verse that's over as quickly as it began.

Overall the song is just... pretty ok. While it's incredibly short (barely clocking in at 3 minutes) the track manages to pack 3 hardcore verses, coupled with a swaggerish, bass heavy beat, perfect for an R&B track. So while the song is good, it is in no way Brown or Minaj's best work, and I expect only moderate radio rotation before Brown moves to his next single.

                                    

Beyonce- Grown Woman Review

Beyonce's newest single, Grown Woman, leaked on Tuesday, and of course I immediately stole someone's phone to hear it as soon as I heard about it. Now that I've listened to it over 2,000 times, I figured, why not do a review about it. Let's jump right in.

Grown Woman starts out with the familiar beat from the Pepsi ad, and becomes danceable from the get go. When the lyrics start in Beyonce manages to create a sound that's electric, laid back, and has almost an African feel at the same time. This is partly due to the electric feeling beat being joined with marching drums, that work perfectly with the swaggerish lyrics Beyonce fiercely sings out. Sometimes overlaid on her swaggerish, yet also (somehow) laid back lyrics are upbeat pop vocals, which pair perfectly with the rest of the song.

This song takes on many different identities, and a quarter way through the song pairs African backing vocals  with Beyonce's lyrics (lyrics that take on a more pop variant), which make for a more danceable, upbeat track. 

The song slowly adds on throughout, and midway through the song, it starts to lose its electric beat and starts moving towards more traditional instrumentals, with a large emphasis on percussion, which still maintain a strong African feel.

From there the song just goes into Beyonce saying I'm a Grown Woman / I can do whatever I want, which gets rather annoying, but the instrument still progress throughout, even adding flutes, which makes the otherwise boring verse much more interesting. And then, after another line of I'm a Grown Woman / I can do whatever I want, the song cuts off, extremely abruptly.

Overall, I really enjoyed this song. It's much more Beyonce like than the previous track Bow Down/I Been On. However, this was a leaked track, and at some points it feels very empty, as if they could add a lot to some parts, which leads me to believe that the track isn't 100% finished. But with that being said, this is a great track that I could see on any urban radio station.

                                                                                                                   -Colby

Jessica Sanchez- Me You and the Music track by track review

Hey everyone! On Tuesday Jessica Sanchez's (American Idol 11 runner up) debut album was released, and I'm about to do a track by track review, so let's just jump right in! *Note* Most of my track by track reviews are very short, and if one of these songs is released as a single, I'll review it more in depth.




Right To Fall- Right to Fall is the perfect mix of urban and soul. It beautifully shows off her great vocals, while at the same time is also a very danceable track, with an electric esque beat, another urban element. I
could easily see this on any R&B radio station.

Tonight- Read Full Tonight Review Here

Don't Come Around- Don't Come Around is a much more pop track. This song was more geared toward radio rotation. The quick moving song doesn't show off her impressive vocals as much, but it shows how much versatility she has as an artist, as she can belt out "I Will Always Love You" or sing a pop ditty like "Don't Come Around".

Crazy Glue- Crazy Glue is the 1st ballad featured on the album. This song (so far) is the song that most shows off how much power she has in her voice. The song features a very powerful rhythmic beat, that pairs great with her incredible voice.

No One Compares (Feat. Prince Royce)- No One Compares is also a ballad song, at first, featuring Prince Royce. As the song starts out very slow, it soon transitions into an electric, fist pumping beat. The song stays
at a quicker pace for the rest of the song. So the song is much more urban heavy with only the intro and outro being balladesque. I could definitely see this on the radio soon, and I imagine it will be the next single.

In Your Hands- In your hands is a mid-tempo urban pop song. However, the song quickly picks up, becoming up-tempo, once again paired with an electric type beat. The song is constructed very well, as each verse starts out slow, and then slowly gets quicker and quicker until it reaches the chorus, and I can see all of her fans being pleased by this song.

Plastic Roses- Plastic Roses is a ballad about realizing that the guy you thought was perfect was actually all lies. This is another song that shows off just how much talent Jessica has. This is actually a very meaningful song, and is probably the best ballad on the album (so far).

Drive By- Drive By is a very R&B heavy song, vocal and instrument wise. This quick paced song is very radio friendly, yet still shows off her vocal abilities. The song features a variety of instruments that makes for a great instrumental track that pairs wonderfully with Jessica's voice. This is my favorite track off the album.

You've Got the Love- You've Got the Love features synth instrumentals with Jessica's
vocals. The song features Jessica singing so fast at some parts she's almost rapping. These two elements work together perfectly for a club banger track. But the best part about this song is that even with all that said, it's still able to distinguish itself from all the songs we hear on the radio today that all sound the same. Overall, this song is able to be a catchy radio song that actually has, variety.

Gentlemen- Gentlemen is another heavy urban R&B song. The song features Jessica singing swaggerishly coupled with a quick, equally swaggerish beat. This isn't how I expected the album to be closed, but it actually works
perfectly.

Overall, this album is actually about what I expected  urban R&B led with a few ballads throughout. I think this album was able to capture how much she can do as an artists, and I think everyone can find a track they'll love on this album.

Hope you liked the review, tell me what you think of the album in the comments, and I'll talk to you guys soon!
                                                                                                              -Colby

*NEW SINGLE ALERT* Jessica Sanchez: Tonight

So, one of my favorite singers, American Idol 11's runner up Jessica Sanchez just put out her new single, Tonight!  In this song, Jessica manages to show off her amazing vocal cords, while also making a song that I could easily see on the radio.  The song features Ne-Yo, and he doesn't have his own verse, but rather he just has a few lines spread throughout the song.  His parts really don't offer much, but they don't take away from the song either.  His parts could have easily been sung by Sanchez, but it does add a little variety to the song.  My guess on why he is here is probably to just add some star power to her 1st song. As I said before, this song could easily be on the radio.  It's a fun, upbeat track, coupled with a beat that works beautifully with this song.  Sanchez also manages to show off her vocal cords, holding long notes throughout the song.  The song is about escaping your troubles and worries, and for one night going somewhere where you don't have to worry and nothing goes wrong.  The song sounds like a lot of pop songs you usually hear, but is also able to distinct itself from those songs too, by being able to slow the song down, which many songs can't do these days.  This is an extremely addicting song, and it's almost impossible to not get it stuck in your head.  I give this song a 10/10, because there's nothing this song needs to improve on.  Take a listen to it above.

                                                                                                                     -Colby