Tuesday, October 22, 2013

'Better Together' by Fifth Harmony EP Review

Fifth Harmony were a girl group put together by Simon Cowell on Season 2 of The X Factor USA and no one knew where they were going to go. Throughout the live shows they increasingly got better to the point where towards the end they were slaying the competition. They had the potential to be huge after, and they've sort of seized on it. Over the summer they released their first single 'Miss Movin' On' which was fantastic and I was really excited to hear their debut album. Unfortunately, they scrapped it and decided to release an EP, Better Together, instead. I'm glad they released something, and I do think the EP is very strong, but it's just lacking diversity. I think releasing an album would have allowed them to develop their sound and explore themselves as a group better than an EP, but at least they have something out there to establish themselves. Better Together is a solid pop record nonetheless.

1. Don't Wanna Dance Alone - 8/10

The first track on the EP is one of my favorites. 'Don't Wanna Dance Alone' has a great '80s sugar pop flare to it, at times feeling like Katy Perry's new album PRISM. It's a great upbeat track that gets the EP off to a roaring start. I love the girls' vocals here, both playful and strong.

2. Miss Movin' On - 10/10

Their debut single, 'Miss Movin' On' is still as flawless as ever, and listening to it reminds me of how many times I listened to it over the summer. It's fantastic and a certified pop jam. Read my original review HERE.

3. Better Together - 7/10

'Better Together' slows things down to a powerful mid-tempo as the girls sing about missing their man and that they're better together. I get an early Mariah Carey vibe from this track - it's got her signature R&B/pop sound. Title tracks are rarely the strongest on any offering, but it's a solid album track.

4. Who Are You - 8/10

For the first time on the album, the girls slow everything down and deliver us a piano-driven ballad. It's great hearing the girls torn away from their big pop anthems because they all have really strong voices so it's nice to hear them show them off. I think this is a great offering and it has a ton of potential.

5. Leave My Heart Out of This - 8/10

After the ballad, Fifth Harmony ramp the energy up ten notches and bring us another big pop smasher. 'Leave My Heart Out of This' is a power romp, bringing out the big pop guns with a raging guitar-driven chorus and the girls squealing and screaming in their teenage glee. It's a fun one, and there's no doubt they've crafted another hit.

6. Me & My Girls - 9/10

Ending the standard version of the EP, their second single 'Me & My Girls' is of course another great pop track. While it's not as powerful as 'Miss Movin' On' it's still pretty damn addictive, and of course you can't beat a song that gives a shout-out to Miss Britney Spears. It ends the EP on a high note and shows that these girls have a ton of potential. And of course that breakdown never gets old. Check out my original thoughts HERE.

Bonus Track:

7. One Wish - 6/10

Completing our listening journey is another uptempo that sees the girls a bit more playful and cutesy with their vocals. It's their big F.U. track as the girls channel their inner P!nk and diss their former boy toys. The girls's vocals sometimes come off as annoying and the song is overall a tad cheesy so it isn't the best way to end the EP.

Tracks to Check Out: 'Miss Movin' On', 'Who Are You', 'Leave My Heart Out of This'

Overall Rating: 8/10

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