Category: - J.Says Online

98 Degrees: Microphone (New Single)

3/25/2013

Single Review.
Although I’m glad to hear 98 Degrees back on the airwaves after 10 years (shout-out to my boy band lovers and 90’s people!), I’m not a fan of their new single, “Microphone.” The production is basic, ground-level, techno-dance and the lyrics are…. agonizingly self-explanatory. They’re literally encouraging a woman to sing into a microphone. It possibly could be a metaphor for love, like a “step up to the plate and shout out your love for me” kind of thing, but I strongly doubt it. Nick Lachey’s “A Father’s Lullaby” album for Fisher Price is likely more inspiring (Lachey is a new gushing father, by the way). Let’s hope the tracks they’ve reportedly recorded for their upcoming new album are far better. In the meantime, you can catch 98 Degrees on “The Package Tour” with New Kids on the Block & Boyz II Men. You can listen to “Microphone” here.

Demi Lovato: Heart Attack

2/25/2013

Single Review.
Like most Lovatics (Demi Lovato’s fanbase), I was looking forward to the release of the 1st single from her upcoming album, “Heart Attack.” I was especially curious after I listened to an interview in which the X-Factor U.S. judge and former Disney darling said she was “done with EDM (electronic dance music)” after recording a somewhat conforming album, “Unbroken,” and missed “hearing real instruments on the radio...I want my lyrics to mature and my sound to mature just like I have." “Heart Attack” unfortunately fails to be reflection of Lovato’s new approach. One thing I’ve always said in praise of Lovato is that with each album, growth is seen and she’s a budding artist to watch. The single sounds like its taking a few steps back with EDM effects and shockingly childish writing: “You make me wanna act like a girl; paint my nails and wear perfume. For you make me so nervous that I just can't hold your hand.” The theme of the song is that she’s reluctant to fall in love for fear of a broken heart, so she internalizes her excitement, even though she’s breaking her personal rules. It seems like there would be a more thoughtful, mature way to illustrate this concept. I want to rewrite the song for her. You can listen to “Heart Attack” below.

Single Reviews: Justin Timberlake & Fantasia

1/14/2013

Justin Timberlake: Suit & Tie
Single Review.
Whew, lawd! It’s about time Justin Timberlake remembered he’s a recording artist! After 7 years, the pop/R&B heartthrob resurfaces with Jay-Z donning a “Suite & Tie.” Holding on to his production magic with Timbaland, the track surprises with swift changes, from dark and winding to bouncy and fun. The concept is adorable as JT promises to show you how wonderful love can be, but the written execution is unimpressive. “Suite & Tie” is the first cut from the pending effort reportedly titled “The 20/20 Experience” and is available now on Itunes. Take a listen here.

Fantasia: Lose to Win
Single Review.
Fantasia is gearing up for her 4th album release in March with the new single, “Lose to Win.” Soulfully crooning over a nice, soothing sample of “Nightshift” by The Commodores, the “American Idol” winner discusses dropping the habit of dating no-good guys to get to the good stuff. If it’s any indicator of what the upcoming record will sound like, it will be a winner. You can purchase the single on Itunes and listen to it in full below.

Tamar Braxton: Love & War

12/6/2012

Single Review.
Anyone who’s kept up with Toni Braxton’s youngest sister, Tamar, on their family reality show “Braxton Family Values” or on Tamar’s marital spin-off “Tamar & Vince,” knows that a new solo project from the sassy pistol is long over-due. Fans of the WeTV serials all have their different opinions about Tamar’s over-the-top behavior, but most agree that she has an amazing voice and deserves a rebound from her underperforming (and arguably undeveloped) 2000 debut. Judging from the track snippets heard in the studio during “Tamar &Vince,” it seemed like the new album was going to be mostly up-tempo, with hardly anything to show off the gorgeous vocals we’re eager to hear. Then there was “Love & War.” The song’s concept is overused and commonplace, but the gradual musical swelling and Braxton’s ardent and heartfelt delivery make it worth repeat listens. These days, production and catchiness often outshine vocal, but on “Love & War,” Tamar’s voice is the star of the show and it’s so refreshing to hear a (semi) new artist with powerful chops. You check out the new single below & purchase it on ITunes here.

Shannon Bex: I'm Out (New Music Video)

11/30/2012

When JSaysOnline commemorated the release anniversary of Danity Kane's last album "Welcome to the Dollhouse" (I loved Danity Kane; they were racially diverse & had no lead singer) back in March, former member Shannon Bex was kind enough to do an interview with us to talk about the album, the group and of course, her current endeavors. At the time, she was working on a new country EP, "I'm a Woman," which is now available on ITunes. Here's the music video to her official single, "I'm Out." One of the things I've loved about Bex since following her career is that she has such eclectic musical tastes. The song may be country, but she's giving us "pop life" (shout-out to Prince) with awesome choreography in the video (Bex is a trained dancer, by the way). Hit the comment button and let me know what you think of the song. You can keep up with Shannon at http://www.shannonbex.com/

Cletus: Left-Side Right

11/6/2012

Single Review.
I was sent some information on Cletus, an independent artist who seeks to meet classic soul with R&B/pop. His latest single & music video, “Left-Side Right” is available on ITunes and despite some of its pitfalls, it’s kind of catchy. Whether you want it stuck in your head or not, it will linger. “Right” is definitely an intriguing marriage of older R&B and today’s synthesized dance music, but the mix isn’t balanced, causing it to sound dated. The vocals are over-processed and yet, there are still a few off-pitch moments. Give it a listen and let me know what you think.

Click the photo for the official site

Christina Aguilera: Your Body

9/19/2012

Single Review.
When I heard Christina Aguilera’s new single was going to be an up-tempo track about a casual hook-up, I was beyond unenthused and irritated. I thought “didn’t we do this with the last album (“Not Myself Tonight,” a song with a similar theme, was the lead single for the underselling “Bionic”)? Plus, I’m tired of Aguilera using the overt sexuality card. However, when I listened to “Your Body,” I found myself bobbing my head. The lyrics weren’t that explicit and the production, although using elements of techno-dance for commerciality, blended enough R&B to not be the standard pop song. It’s ok with me. You can listen to "Your Body" here.

Mariah Carey: Triumphant

8/2/2012

Single Review.
by Sereth Wynters, Contributing Writer

Mariah Carey has finally released the long anticipated single, “Triumphant.” In a press interview today, the songstress said writing the mid-tempo track helped her cope with the loss of her dear friend and contemporary Whitney Houston and the prior hospitalization of her husband, TV personality Nick Cannon. I did not get that idea when I first heard it. I thought the song was more about the period during early 2000’s when the media counted her out and deemed her career over after down-sliding record sales and a bout with exhaustion.

“Triumphant’s” catchy chorus is the glue that holds the entire song together. Without a well written chorus, the song could have been a huge mess. Encouraging the listener to ‘reach for the stars’ and ‘be all that you are,’ the hook is very uplifting; giving you the urge to sing it out loud because it fills you with so much hope. While featured rapper Meek Mill’s verse was written very well (especially compared to a lot of his other songs), cohort Rick Ross’ verse was a little messy and irrelevant. I did not understand why he was “throwing big money as she dances on the pole.” It’s hard to connect majority of his verse to the general theme.

As far as the vocal production, the layering was overdone (as can be heard in the chorus). You could hardly understand what Carey is trying to say. Mariah’s chest voice and whistle register are sounding very healthy, but only a live performance will tell if it’s just a studio enhancement. She surprised me adding a whistle note to this song. I personally felt like it wouldn’t fit this type of track, but it was perfect how she placed her notes to crescendo from a layered belt. It added subtlety and the right amount of climax to lend to a smooth transition down into a falsetto. Having an urban feel and a slight hint of violins, the musical production is very sleek with nicely built climaxes that compliment the vocal. I like that the vocals are not drowned out by the back beat. “Triumphant” is radio friendly and bound to inspire many. You can listen to the track here.

Madonna & Carrie Underwood: Good Girls Gone Wild

2/27/2012

Madonna: Girls Gone Wild
Single Review.

In promotion of her upcoming album, “MDNA,” the queen of pop Madonna has released a 2nd single, “Girls Gone Wild.” She’s long been hailed as a master of reinvention able to seamlessly stay abreast musical trends, but this single isn’t a testament of that as it’s typical of today’s dance top 40. The song is catchy at first, but quickly becomes redundant and repetitive with no distinctive production quality or melody. It’s tragically basic. Hear the 1st verse and chorus and you’ve heard the whole song. You can check it out below.

Carrie Underwood: Good Girl
Single Review.

So, I love this song. It’s a sassy blend of rock and country, with an interesting play on words and lyrics. The song is a cautionary tale, warning a ‘good girl’ to not be easily fooled by a seemingly ‘good boy.’ Always a positive sign, the song was stuck in my head long after I heard it. You can hear Carrie’s hot new single below.

Nicki Minaj: "Fly" Video Review

8/29/2011

Nicki Minaj gets some help from Rihanna in "Fly"

What’s up with majority of today’s videos being without a significant concept or storyline? What’s up with all these videos where you just see the recording artist staring and posing in the camera while they let the backdrop speak for them?? That’s what you get in Nicki Minaj’s new music video, “Fly,” featuring Rihanna. With great scenery, “Fly” is set in a destroyed environment, perhaps post-apocalyptic or war-torn, but that’s as interesting as it gets. Nicki and Rihanna walk and pose through the rubble, and eventually the rap-star fights a couple ninjas briefly. The video closes with the sun coming out and a flower growing. That’s it. Rubble. Posing. Brief Ninja Fight. Flower. The end. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Considering the lyrics of the song, Minaj could’ve been some type of superhero or healer who caused the revitalization of the land and Rihanna, her sidekick or guide. Something a little more interesting than random ninjas and staring at your face. Granted, both Rihanna and Nicki Minaj are easy on the eyes, but I can Google photos for all of that. If you haven’t seen it, you can check out the video below. Also below is a poll: Did you like “Fly?”