With an album name like “Title,” it’s to be expected that a record will be a mishmash of confused directions.
Meghan Trainor, the pop singer who first appeared on the music scene with her top 40 hit “All About That Bass,” has released her debut album with 14 additional songs. Since her first single’s radio release, Trainor has been taking over the radio with her pop, doo-wop sound.
However, this woman is a far cry from Amy Winehouse or Duffy. She’s much closer to a female Bruno Mars or Amy Renee Heidemann from Karmin.
That said, while Trainor has the vocal ability to become a powerhouse, she doesn’t capitalize on it on “Title.” Instead, she creates teeny-bopper beats with more shallow than deep lyrics.
The song “3am” references Trainor fighting the urge to drunk call a love interest while “Walkashame” creates the imagery of nothing more than multiple one night stands.
“Bang Dem Sticks” is another song with a similar format. Just a bunch of meaningless lyrics strung together with a bubblegum pop beat.
These songs are just extensions of what Trainor has already put out onto the radio. It seems with the vocal range she has, she could create a lot more than meaningless doo-wop and pop beats.
Sometime during the recording of “Title,” it seems this dawned on Trainor, who threw in some tracks with actual substance.
The collaboration with John Legend, “Like I’m Gonna Lose You,” is the gem of the entire record.
While Trainor picked an established, well-sung male counterpart to accompany her, she also shows she shouldn’t be underestimated. The track is sung elegantly with the two artists’ voices melding into a song that could withstand years of Valentine’s Days and wedding receptions.
Oppositely, “No Good For You,” sends an opposing message about love, but still exemplifies Trainor’s vocal strength.
The song is more pop than “Like I’m Gonna Lose You,” but it’s not so bubblegum pop it’ll make the listener sick to his or her’s stomach.
Overall, Trainor needs to rethink “Title” to create a richer sound with meaningful lyrics since currently it’s only still standing because of a few tracks that shine through the muddled pop mess.
She should also rethink the literal title.
REVIEW: Meghan Trainor – ‘Title’
By Meg Ryan
January 14, 2015
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