Custodian Review: March 2016 Albums

Written by Tomiwa Isiaka

Gwen Stefani – This Is What The Truth Feels Like

With 10 years out of the music releasing party, Gwen has released a 17 track album with a pink pop ribbon on it. It tells the story of her Gavin Rossdale breakup and also her new love, Blake Shelton. This album is basically a “fuck you, I’m out and I can love again” with the a hint of the quirky playfulness we know (and I love) Gwen for.

That said, I didn’t get the vibe of this album. She’s going in many different directions and in my opinion, it doesn’t work. Gwen has always been a little flexible with her pop, moving effortlessly across different pop-clusters and shining in all. On this album though, it’s clear she is trying to follow the latest music trend and it seems to me like she doesn’t quite understand it. Its like she’s trying to make music for a different demographic and trying desperately to get their attention and in this quest, she has lost her identity and created a very average record.

One of the songs I found most interesting is Send Me A Picture. I can hear the pop appeal but it annoyed me because I felt like she was trying too hard to sound like someone she heard on a Top Ten List. Used To Love You sounds sloppy and unrehearsed, which is heartbreaking because of the really pure “pour my heart out” feel and how easily it could resonate with so many people could have made it one of her greatest songs. I genuinely liked Rare, I think its one of those songs that grow on you. Misery and Where Would I Be gave me a glimpse into what modern Gwen Stefani should sound like, they have the vibes of her first solo album, Love. Angel. Music. Baby.

This album does not fail to convey her “two sides to love” message, it however lacks the professionalism and brilliance you would expect on a comeback album from an act as superb as Gwen.

Zayn – Mind of Mine

Zayn surprised me. I was expecting Justin Bieber type of overhyped album but this is worth the attention, he did a great job. I’ve listened to all the 18 songs three times over and I didn’t get bored once. I didn’t even notice the length. I was even more impressed on my third listen because I was paying more attention.

The good:

• His vocals! I love how easily he does these Justin Timberlake-like runs with his voice!
• Drunk is my favorite on this album. It’s not getting enough attention. His voice on this song is perfect
• Lucozade is another gem that I think should be getting more attention
• It’s You grew on me. If you don’t like it the first time, listen again and again, until you do. At first I didn’t like it, but I found myself twirling towards the end
• His voice makes everything more relatable which isn’t exactly a rare quality but it is something to appreciate
• Befour (what is this title thing?) and She are old R&B. The R&B that didn’t need to change. This voice belongs with rhythm and blues.

The bad:

• Nothing, I wanted to make this clear