Review: Ciara, Ciara

In the wake of the unwarranted commercial failure of Basic Instinct, R&B songstress Ciara asked to be released from her recording contract and set to work on staging a full-scale comeback with her fifth studio album tentatively titled One Woman Army. When three of the promotional singles failed to climb the charts, Ciara retooled the record with the release of the lead single “Body Party” and re-christened the album as the self-titled Ciara. Intimate at times and playful at others, Ciara is living proof that its maker is willing to accept defeat.

The opening cut “I’m Out” is a bass-laden, hand-clapping post-break-up club anthem. Ciara’s go-get-‘em attitude is palpable and guest artist Nicki Minaj adds just the right amount of wig-tossing sass that the track demands (albeit with a rap that makes little-to-no-sense). Minaj re-appears more effectively on the similarly girl power flavoured “Livin’ It Up.” With its airy electronic composition, “Livin’ It Up” is an empowering contemporary R&B track that delivers a play-by-your-own-rules, make-the-most-of-life message. The rest of the album plays cohesively as a ‘girl in love’ record. The simmering “Super Turnt Up” is an enjoyable love song where Ciara shows off her talent for rapping. “Read My Lips” is a similarly-themed cut that takes on a more pop-oriented sound. Despite its simplicity, it is a bouncy and catchy jam that serves as one of the many standouts on the album. On the tracks “DUI” and “Overdose,” Ciara effectively but predictably compares love to substance abuse. “DUI” is a sensuous slow jam with a winding beat and silky vocals by Ciara while “Overdose” is a radio-friendly Britney-esque electronic number that would serve nicely as a single.  “Sophomore” and “Keep On Lookin’” take a more aggressive approach in their sexuality. Boastful and arrogant, these two tracks are satisfying hip-hip-slanted bedroom bangers with clever lyrics and vocals saturated with attitude. The strongest entry on Ciara is its intimate and sensual lead single “Body Party.” The Mike WiLL Made-It produced track is impossibly sexy and perfectly arranged. Ciara’s vocals are smoother than they’ve ever been on the slow jam and have an undeniable sense of character to them which only adds to the warmth of the track.

Ciara can be favourably compared to Kelly Rowland’s acclaimed fourth album Talk a Good Game. Light on dance anthems and heavy on sex jams, both records are brassy and slickly produced. While it may not be as diverse as Talk a Good Game, Ciara is a more focused collection of songs so much so that it's possible to call it a concept album. Additionally, Ciara’s vocals are to be complimented. They’re stronger, warmer and smoother but etched with a slight grit that guarantees its distinctiveness. Overall, Ciara is must-hear album with unified sounds and themes and without any dreaded filler.

Recommended Listening: “I’m Out,” “Body Party,” “Read My Lips,” “Super Turnt Up,” “DUI,” “Livin’ It Up,” “Overdose”

Grade: A-