Artist: Will.I.Am
Release: #thatpower
Release date: Out Now
If you’re looking for an album to get you in that party mood then look no further. #willpower (the hash tag is silent, by the way) is everything you expect and more from the infamous producer and song writer, back with his fourth solo album.
The album begins with a song aptly named ‘Good Morning’, with slow, uplifting violins which feels like it belongs in a scene from a Disney movie. This, along with Will and a soft female voice singing ‘good morning and don’t forget to dream wonderful things’, you get a taster of the surreal album you are about to hear. As ‘Hello’ begins, you hear the Will.I.Am we all have come to know and love (well, some of us). His well known robotic voice teamed with electronic buzzes and zooms ensures there is no mistaking whose record this is.
The singles lifted from the album still sound just as fresh and exciting – the trait of a great pop song. Eva Simons’ distinctively strong voice on ‘This Is Love’ still makes you want to sing, dance and head to your nearest club. Will’s number one single ‘Scream and Shout’ with Britney Spears still stands out as an addictive dance tune. ‘#thatpower’, the most recent single to be lifted from the record with Justin Bieber is certainly a stand out track. The song is instantly loveable, as Will’s fast raps joined with Justin’s smooth singing in the chorus creates the perfect mix of r’n’b and pop. There are even some beeps and bangs Calvin Harris would be proud of. What more could you ask for in a song?! Perhaps controversially, Will has teamed up with Chris Brown for ‘Let’s Go’, although it doesn’t stand out as a memorable part of the album, with a few similar sounding dance tracks molding very much into one another.
Having said this though, there are a couple of slower songs at the end of the album, proving that he can do more than robotic voices and fast electronic beats. ‘Fall Down’ features vocals from Miley Cyrus and may be the closest thing to a love song you’ll ever hear from Will. Romantic whistles and uplifting melodies play as Miley and Will sing back and forth to each other, with cheesy lyrics such as ‘girl you like an elevator when I’m down you always pick me up’. ‘Great Times Are Coming’ is also a slower, piano based track which is a lot more chilled than the rest.
If you love Will.I.Am for his classic robotic beats and massive dance tunes then you’ll love this album. If you’re interested in hearing a slightly softer side to the rapper then you should also give it a go. Will has always been known for writing such catchy pop tunes and this album is certainly no disappointment.
6/10
