After the success of her 2008 release “Pocketful of Sunshine”, Natasha Bedingfield is back on the music scene with her third studio album, “Strip Me”, which came out on December 7th. Her new project is filled with material that made Bedingfield a hit in the first place. Amazing vocals are found on every track that showcases an uplifting message. Many critics are saying that the album does not show any change from the singer, but that is not a bad thing if the music is good and sung with immense talent. With two singles released already, the title track and “Touch”, the album will be an enjoyable listen for many listeners.
The thirteen track album begins with the opening song “Little Too Much”. The song starts off slow and sweet, keeping that vibe throughout. However, there are moments where it picks up to become something more than just a typical ballad. The lyrics go well with Bedingfield’s vocal abilities and I feel it is the type of music that fits her perfectly. It is a great way to kick off the new album. “All I Need” is a track that differs from the rest of the track list. To me, the track contains a sort of 80s feel which helps create a good song, however, it just sounds out of place on this album. The album states that the song contains samples of Kevin Rudolf’s “Let It Rock”, but the samples get overlooked because I did not even catch them. The title song, which also serves as the lead single, off the album is one of the best tracks from the entire project. “Strip Me” is as uplifting and inspiring as the artist gets, telling everyone that no one is taking her voice away from her because it is the thing that makes her unique. The song is on my “favorites” playlist and I could not help but to fall in love with it. I think it was a great choice for a single, one that shows the talent of the “Unwritten” hit maker. The album continues with “Neon Lights”. When you first hear the track, I don’t think you can do anything else but smile. The beat and melody go great together with the voice and lyrics to create a piece of work that will cause anyone to forget the troubles they are going through at the moment. The song is fun and cute; one that I think works for the album. “Weightless” is another high point on the album. Bedingfield does not hold anything back as her belts out lyrics that show that she does not let something bring her down. The song does not need any heavy production which shows that the artist needs to only rely on her voice to create successful work. Favorite part about it has to be the use of the word “bitch”; somehow she incorporates it very tastefully. Simplicity works on the song “Can’t Fall Down”. The track is beautifully crafted with Bedingfield’s voice shining through once again. I feel this is the slowest that the album gets, but that is not a bad thing at all. I got a hint of vulnerability coming from the delivery of the lyrics and that feeling stayed throughout giving the song more of an impact on the listener. “Try” makes use of a few instruments and emotion to create a beautiful performance of a very well written song. The chorus of the track is where I believe Bedingfield truly shines the brightest. Even though most may think it sounds just like any other ballad on the radio today, the vocals that come through the speakers cause it to stand out on its own. Audiences got a taste of Bedingfield’s new project from the buzz single “Touch”. The song is upbeat and the tempo gets raised a little, but it does not ruin the vibe of the album. The track is the definition of pop, cute lyrics, great vocals, and a beat that actually complements that performance. The track is fun and portrays a story which I like. The second best song on the album comes in the form of track nine, “Run-Run-Run”. The song contains a message about a love that is impossible to get away from. I found it amazing and the standout of the album. Bedingfield may not change her sound dramatically, but she tweaks it a bit to create something new. This song is an example of that. “Break Thru” is another song where I feel the artist hurting a bit which gives the track even more meaning. I interpret the lyrics as being about a relationship that is stuck in the same position, never moving forward. The performance is a great one and I commend Bedingfield for it. The chorus is haunting is a good way and I feel like the artist is not afraid to show her fans how she is feeling. The piano driven “No Mozart” is another that can be added to the list of successes off the album. The artist sings through the verses then kicks it up a few notches during the chorus which is the highlight of the song. The song is great, filled with exceptional vocals by an amazing artist, enough said. “Recovery” is another good song that ends the new material on the album, however, I feel it is a bit forgettable coming after a string of amazing performances. Don’t get me wrong, the song is a beautiful piece of work; I just think that so much more could have been done with it. The song is good, but it could have been great. The album closes with a stripped down version of track five. “Weightless (Less Is More)” works as well, the vocals are allowed to come through even more. People may not notice a difference between the two versions right away, I didn’t, but the change is more noticeable towards the end. The point of the two versions is that no matter how it is sung, the song is a great one. The album is cohesive overall, with the exception of one song, and I think that allows it to become an enjoyable listen for any music lover.
“Strip Me” is a good effort for Bedingfield to show audiences that she still has plenty to show. Her vocals are what sets this album apart from the generic pop that is crowding the radio airwaves today. The album has many high points, and barely any lows, however my one problem with it would have to be the fact that sometimes as the tracks switched I felt like I was still listening to the same song. The album as a whole, including the beautiful cover art, works and shows the talent of an artist who loves to make music. For amazing vocals, beautifully written lyrics, and an inspiring message, the album receives an 87%.
Tracks to Hear: “Strip Me”, “Run-Run-Run”, and “Break Thru”
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