Review: Ciara, Basic Instinct

Clocking in at just eleven tracks, Ciara's fourth album Basic Instinct is a focused set of R&B songs that serve as a re-introduction to the Princess following her foray into pop music on her previous record Fantasy Ride. By cutting back on the collaborations and sticking to her tried and true formula of hip-hop-flavoured R&B, Ciara attempts to re-capture the magic of past hits and ultimately crafts a cohesive album that is worth a spin.

Ciara goes hard on the opening track "Basic Instinct (U Got Me)." Borrowing elements from the classic song "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor, "Basic Instinct (U Got Me)" features an aggressive Ciara blasting critics and haters with incredible ferocity. She partners with Ludacris again to deliver the bass-heavy, grind-worthy jam "Ride." It's a seductive song with a swirling electronic composition and a solid verse from Ludacris. The high energy dance anthem "Gimmie Dat" is a standout with its rapid-fire chorus and Ciara's vocals which exude attitude. The club tracks "Heavy Rotation" and "Turn It Up" are likewise solid offerings on the album. The former makes excellent use of Ciara's silky voice over a skipping synthesized arrangement with an impossibly catchy chorus. The latter is an electric duet with Usher that features a thumping bassline and rhythmic clapping. Ciara and Usher's vocals blend effortlessly together to create a rather enjoyable listening experience. Ciara nourishes her arrogance on tracks like "Girls Get Your Money," a playful hand-clapper, and the brassy "Wants For Dinner" with its stomping and hooting rhythm. Though the sass is high on much of the album, Ciara turns up the sensuality on the downtempo tracks present on the album. "Speechless" sees Ciara indulging in her lower register over a faux-horn composition while "You Can Get It" is a blithe come-hither slow jam with a sprinkling piano arrangement. Likewise, the closing track "I Run It" is an enticing R&B ballad that features Ciara's ethereal vocals over an effortless airy composition. Ciara's magnetic appeal is notable on each track and her versatility is to be commended for being able to adapt so seamlessly from dancefloor diva to bedroom vixen.

Basic Instinct solidifies Ciara's place as one of the most underrated contemporary R&B acts. It's a highly entertaining album that is surprisingly addictive in its arrangement. The production level is high and the number of filler tracks is low. Basic Instinct is a consistent record that is recommended for any R&B lover and casual Ciara fan (since the C-Squad probably already owns the album).

Recommended Listening: "Ride," "Gimmie Dat," "Heavy Rotation," "Speechless," "You Can Get It," "Turn It Up," "Wants For Dinner," "I Run It"

Grade: B+