Wednesday, December 5, 2012

'Warrior' by Ke$ha Album Review

Ke$ha released her sophomore album Warrior this week, and it's a pop masterpiece. Everything Ke$ha does is catchy and danceable, and I think why everyone loves her so much is that she's just so uninhibited. She says what she wants, and that's that. Even though I don't think she delivered the album that she had originally promised her fans, I think it's still phenomenal and will establish her as more than just a temporary pop star. The album is full of sex, rock 'n' roll, dance music and songs about having sex with ghosts. Ke-dollar sign-ha is back with a vengeance, and she isn't gonna stop until the world is in a drunken stupor dancing the night away.

1. Warrior - 8/10

This a perfect way to start off the album because it's a juxtaposition of the two styles of the album. You have the softer more melodic side, and then it transitions into this crazy beat that represents the other half of the album. It also shows off Ke$ha's beautiful voice, but throws in her signature rapping that has defined her as an artist. It also has this crazy dubstep breakdown that will throw you for a loop. And then you throw in an uplifting message about bringing out the warrior within you and you have the culmination of everything Ke$ha is.

2. Die Young - 10/10

And then we transition into the lead single, and honestly the best single of Ke$ha's career. Everything about this song is just perfect. You have beautiful, strong vocals and a great tribal dance beat which when meshed together creates an amazing song. You can read my full review HERE.

3. C'mon - 8/10

The second single off the album is one of those feel good songs that you can't hate. I mean who else can rhyme saber tooth tiger with Budweiser? 'C'mon' is the song you blare at full volume as you drive around town. It's got a smooth, suave beat that caresses your spirit and puts you in a good mood. You can't go wrong with this track. Read my full review HERE.

4. Thinking of You - 8/10

One thing Ke$ha set out to do with this album is reverse gender stereotypes, and that's one of those things she does with this song. Right off the bat she calls a guy a "slut" and tells him to suck her dick. It has one of the most catchy choruses on the whole album, and the song is the break-up song everyone loves. Ke$ha brings out the keytar on the bridge, and it adds for a nice effect.

5. Crazy Kids - 7/10

The song starts off with a guitar and someone whistling creating a beautiful acoustic feel, but then it abruptly switches to this club beat that is the exact opposite of the beginning. The rest of the song is like this, constantly alternating, and even though it's so strange Ke$ha pulls it off brilliantly. As you can tell by the title, it's about just being a "crazy kid" and having fun while you're young.

6. Wherever You Are - 8/10

This is the first mid-tempo-ish song on the album (if you can even call it that), but Ke$ha has another crazy dance beat backing her up as she sings. The is the first song where she really sings the whole time and her beautiful vocals are on display for it's duration.

7. Dirty Love (feat. Iggy Pop) - 8/10

Ke$ha promised a more rock sound for her album, and this is the first we get to hear of it. Ke$ha brings in rock icon Iggy Pop to assist her on this fun song where Iggy croons about Rick Santorum and his v-neck sweater. It brings in politics, but keeps it fun and amusing. It's a nice change of pace from the earlier part of the album, but it presents Ke$ha in a much different light than before.

8. Wonderland (feat. Patrick Carney) - 8/10

This is the first real mid-tempo on the album, and it has a sort of country twang to it that makes for a beautiful track. I could totally see her sitting on the middle of the stage and doing a beautiful acoustic rendition of this track. She could have her "moment" with this song if done right. If she sang this like I envision it she could change people's minds and blow them away. It's an enchanting song, and Ke$ha rocked it out.

9. Only Wanna Dance With You (feat. The Strokes) - 9/10

Continuing the rock sound, Ke$ha teams up with none other than The Strokes for this next track. It's one of my favorites on the album because it's so catchy, and mixes rock with dance-pop so effortlessly that they become one. It also has a very '90s feel to it at points that I love, but it's kept very modern and stands out on the album. I could see this playing at a big dance and everyone just having a fun time.

10. Supernatural - 10/10

This is where things get interesting. We leave the rock 'n' roll on the back stoop, and return to the electronic-dubstep-infused-dance-pop that we know Ke$ha delivers all too well. The song has some of the sickest beats you've ever heard, and when it gets to the breakdown you may just wet your pants. It blows my mind every time I hear it. As for the rest of the song, I love Ke$ha's vocals on this track and they really add to the "supernatural" feel of the song. Oh, and if you didn't already know, 'Supernatural' is about having sex with a ghost, an encounter that Ke$ha experienced first hand. Go figure...

11. All That Matters (The Beautiful Life) - 7/10

This is probably one of the songs that I like the least, but it's still a great song. I just feel like it's something I've heard before and it doesn't wow me. That being said, it's catchy as hell and has a very interesting beat. It's fun, just not memorable compared to the rest of the album.

12. Love Into the Light - 10/10

This is an interesting one because it starts off by sampling Phil Collins's 'In the Air Tonight'. It's a really beautiful and haunting mid-tempo, and I think it stands out as one of the best pieces of art in Ke$ha's repertoire. Lyrically, it's outstanding (in Ke$ha's world) and really grabs onto your soul and makes you feel the song as she's experiencing it. It's captivating, and I think she could have a huge hit with this were she to release it.

13. Last Goodbye - 7/10

Concluding the standard edition of the album, Ke$ha leaves us with the perfect conclusion to her album. It contains great vocals, a nice balance between pop and rock (almost even a Mumford and Sons sound). It's nothing memorable or epic, but rather is a perfect ending. It's got a great chanting/clapping rhythm to it, and is just one of those fun tracks that will probably be great for the audience when she goes on tour.

Bonus Tracks:

14. Gold Trans Am - 10/10

I freak out every time I listen to this song. I honestly don't understand how it's just a bonus track because it's the best song on the entire album. It's a more rock oriented track mixed with her signature rapping, and when you throw in her hilarious lyrics it creates the perfect song. What I love about it is that it has this anthemic sound to it, and I think this could be a huge summer hit if she were ever to release it. It's just so much fun, and I think it's the epitome of who Ke$ha is as an artist.

15. Out Alive - 9/10

This track should totally have been on the album as it's a huge dance track, and Ke$ha's ferocious vocal stylings make it even better. I could see this one being a huge hit with an awesome video. It's so catchy and is the perfect dance song. It also has a great dubstep breakdown that pulls it all together.

16. Past Lives - 8/10

The final track of this great album is a beautiful mid-tempo where Ke$ha once again goes the vocal stripped-back route that proves she's a true artist. It's a chilling track that once again invades your core and makes you feel the emotions. Ke$ha knows how to deliver every genre of music which is a testament to her skills.

Tracks to Check Out: 'Only Wanna Dance With You', 'Supernatural', 'Love Into the Light', 'Gold Trans Am' and 'Out Alive'

Overall Rating: 9/10

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