Review: Ciara, Fantasy Ride

When the time came for R&B princess Ciara to record her third album, she enlisted the aid of A-list producers like Tricky Stewart, The-Dream and Danja. These collaborations resulted in a futuristic record that fully incorporated dance-pop elements to her signature R&B and hip-hop sound. Fantasy Ride serves as Ciara's most experimental album to date and proves she can certainly hold her own against today's pop heavyweights.

On Fantasy Ride, Ciara flirts with different genres and allows herself to enjoy a more seductive sound. She comes across as being confident and in-charge of her sexuality on the simmering opening tack "Ciara to the Stage" where she cleverly coos about approaching a love session as if it were a performance. Her smooth vocals are just what the song calls for. Similarly, the slickly-produced "Like a Surgeon" is styled with a futuristic R&B sound and makes heavy use of metaphor. Ciara's vocals are dripping with attitude, fully transforming herself into the sexy siren the song demands. The standout Justin Timberlake-penned "Love Sex Magic" serves as a pop-influenced sex jam. Its bouncing rhythm and sleek arrangement paired with the velvety breakdown makes it an incredibly polished cut. The production remains high on tracks like "Pucker Up" with its dizzying electronic composition and the sassy "G Is for Girl (A-Z)" where Ciara indulges in some well-earned arrogance. The slow jams "Never Ever" and "Lover's Thing," meanwhile, take a more traditional approach. "Never Ever" is a contemporary R&B ballad featuring Young Jeezy. Its fluttering composition works well with Ciara's corresponding vulnerable vocals. The song deals with the realizations of unrequited love all while smartly borrowing elements of the 1972 hit "If You Don't Know Me by Now." "Lover's Thing" is a smooth duet between Ciara and The-Dream that makes use of the interesting contrast between Ciara's sticky-sweet voice and the warmth of The-Dream's. The result is an effortless and earnest love song. Likewise, the closing song "I Don't Remember" comes across as an 80s-inspired slow jam complete with hand-claps and the sound of a turntable needle scratching against vinyl. This Ne-Yo authored number is one of the standouts. The best song on the 13-track standard set, however, is the Missy Elliott-aided "Work." This foot-stomping, hand-clapping song is a staggering dance anthem with a brazen Ciara on vocals and a memorable guest rap by Missy Elliott. It is just the kind of saucy track that is sure to get anyone off their behinds and get out onto the dancefloor.

Fantasy Ride is an incredibly satisfying record that is rife with attitude and vulnerability. It balances its scintillating slow jams with club-friendly dance tracks with ease. Ciara's silky vocals lend themselves shockingly well to the pop elements she incorporates on the album and would do well to continue to marry her unique style of R&B with electronic music. While Fantasy Ride may not have achieved the same platinum status as its predecessors, it is an ambitious and well-rounded record that stands as one of Ciara's most cohesive works to date.

Recommended Listening: "Ciara to the Stage," "Love Sex Magic," "Like a Surgeon," "Never Ever," "Lover's Thing," "Work," "Pucker Up," "G Is for Girl (A-Z)," “Tell Me What Your Name Is,” "I Don't Remember"

Grade: A-