Things actually do seem to hold come full circle for a certain Kelly Rowland.
Its almost 4 days to the day that the songbird unleashed her sophomore set Ms. Kelly on the marketplace.As history goes; political and managerial mishaps unfortunately sunk that ship. As such, Rowland was seemingly cast to a destiny as the lesser fry of Destiny.
Fast advancing to today, and the climate looks entirely different for the singer. Having severed ties with manager Mathew Knowles in 2009, her career has climbed from potency to strength. Indeed, the time since then has seen her notch up heightened success Internationally, land a character as a label on the UKs X Factor, and - perhaps most notablyscore her biggest Stateside hit to date with the sizzling Motivation.
Hoping tolegitimatethis success, the 30 year old lined up an all-star cast of songwriters and producers to trade her third studio album Here I Am.
With past efforts not hit the commercial strides they, perhaps, should have, will it be third time favorable for the songstress?
If the albums declarative opener, Im Dat Chick, is anything to go by, then the resolution should be a resounding yes. Boasting sass in abundance, the Tricky Stewart banger is everything the opening track on an LP of this magnitude needed to be. Assertive, confident, and tied in swag. A fitting re-introduction to Rowlandthe Solo Star.
Solo Star being a deed she truly cements on standout cuts Turn It Up and Touch Me Right Now. Produced by Rodney Darkchild Jerkins, the other serves up a pulsating 808, lush layered vocals, and is undeniably dancefloor destined. Whats more, it does what few up-tempos in the contemporary climate are concerned withrelays a palatable narrative. I can say the solid world now, that I had no mind you were loving her, Rowland sings as she reminisces on a love gone wrong. A home-run if shes ever hit one.
Elsewhere, the piano led ode-to-self Feeling Me Right Now easily serves as one of the best songs the budding diva has recorded to date. For, with its sophist use of similes and metaphors, the Rico Love/Earl E produced track bests similar themed cutswhich far too often make the literal approach to self-empowerment. I simply wish you close, close, nearer, I been watching you all night up in my mirror. Im feeling me right now she sings. Single treatment is imperative.
As is realization of the sensual mid-tempo All of the Night. Produced by The Runners, the success of a track sees Rowland veer further into tasteful baby-making territory. A basic of any solid R&B effort.
Ironically, the albums biggest strength (commercial appeal) ultimately serves as somewhat of an Achilles`heel. For nowhere present is the moody, seduction which dripped from innovative lead single Motivation. Rather, the book instead boasts many a track clearly crafted (almost too-consciously) with radio in mind. Case, point, example, the Hitboy produced, Big Sean assisted Lay It On Me.
Though lacking a taxing vocal, Lay however compensates with a friendly melody, hooks by the bucketload, and enough eh ehs, oh-ohs, and so-los to warrant its survival as the projects latest single.
Similarly, Work It Man is an Urban and Rhythmic hit-in-waiting. Yet with its style and moreover Rowlands history with its producer Darkchild (see: Lose My Breath and yet this LPs Turn It Up), one could be forgiven anticipating something with more umph. Both vocally and production-wise.
Here I Am, then, (from a lyric and production standpoint) doesnt wholly do what it says on the tin: tell us exactly who Kelly Rowland is. (An age-old issue for LPs with such prolific titles).
However, in an ever-crowded marketplace, what the album does do exceptionally well is place Rowland at the epicentre of whats current, trendy, and fresh. A way well-treaded on by chart contemporaries such as Rihanna, who when successful, are afforded the chance to up the edgy on later releases. A spot which makes the LPs closing tracks - Dance duo Commander and the RedOne produced Down For Whatever - seem less out of place, and perchance an indication of whats to come. Or at the simplest of levels, a taste of what else she is able of.
As such, with Here I Am, Rowland positions herself as a viable chart force, while also whetting our appetite for (what is hoped will be) a less safe product next go round. That Grape Juice Rating: 4/5 Stars Your thoughts?
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