Wynter Gordon - With The Music I Die (24/06/2011)
Being offered the opportunity to review Wynter Gordon’s new album ‘With the Music I Die’ was like the Universe offering me the best platform to express my deep seeded dislike for wannabe pop stars that have a mild obsession with Lady Gaga and a heavy dependency on auto tune. Needless to say, when I first heard Gordon’s single Dirty Talk, I was instantly reduced to nausea. The film clip sold me as much as the ShamWow sold after that rather unfortunate battery business involving a certain television pitchman and a prostitute. With the single’s blatant, cheap use of sex appeal coupled with repetitive synths, it was obvious this singer was a product of a high profile record company with access to the best writers and producers in the industry – the perfect formula to sell.
When I received the album, I rushed to check the song credits to see who was responsible for the singer’s success. I was surprised to see that Gordon herself actually played a massive part in writing the songs. This was not without help, though, as she worked with the likes of Nicole Morier who recently worked with Britney Spears on her latest album. Thinking a little more into it, I figured I was being a little too harsh on this girl. I mean, it’s not like a pop singer like Wynter Gordon was going to write songs about the deeper, more pressing issues of life like the presidential race and Obamacare. I decided to go in listening to the album with an open mind, considering it in the context of pop itself and not comparing it to what I personally think is good music.
It was with this mindset that I discovered a pleasant enough album. Gordon’s voice itself it very well controlled with a wide enough dynamic. Although still being noticeably touched and edited in some places, Gordon is very vocally talented. Looking back on my initial opinions on her based on Dirty Talk, I realised I jumped the gun a little as I listened on with the album. Listening on, I felt my opinion of Gordon changing as tracks like Still Getting Younger’ play on, reminding me of a young Whitney Houston. The Drunk on Your Love I personally think would have made an exceptional debut single for the album with its strong Kylie vibe. The track itself isn’t as heavy reliant on auto tune but still manages to sound polished which is a primary reason why I think it would have perfectly represented the album and Gordon herself with justice.
All in all, Gordon has created what I consider to be a decent, solid pop album full of the crowd pleasing electronic vibe and ankle-deep lyrics. Let’s hope she follows a similar path to that of her stage sister Kelis - who for over a decade of working the RnB/Pop scene reinvented herself creating tracks which were deep with meaning and expression without sacrificing her position in the pop world. And with that I say, good luck to you Gordon, good luck.
A. Shikari
When I received the album, I rushed to check the song credits to see who was responsible for the singer’s success. I was surprised to see that Gordon herself actually played a massive part in writing the songs. This was not without help, though, as she worked with the likes of Nicole Morier who recently worked with Britney Spears on her latest album. Thinking a little more into it, I figured I was being a little too harsh on this girl. I mean, it’s not like a pop singer like Wynter Gordon was going to write songs about the deeper, more pressing issues of life like the presidential race and Obamacare. I decided to go in listening to the album with an open mind, considering it in the context of pop itself and not comparing it to what I personally think is good music.
It was with this mindset that I discovered a pleasant enough album. Gordon’s voice itself it very well controlled with a wide enough dynamic. Although still being noticeably touched and edited in some places, Gordon is very vocally talented. Looking back on my initial opinions on her based on Dirty Talk, I realised I jumped the gun a little as I listened on with the album. Listening on, I felt my opinion of Gordon changing as tracks like Still Getting Younger’ play on, reminding me of a young Whitney Houston. The Drunk on Your Love I personally think would have made an exceptional debut single for the album with its strong Kylie vibe. The track itself isn’t as heavy reliant on auto tune but still manages to sound polished which is a primary reason why I think it would have perfectly represented the album and Gordon herself with justice.
All in all, Gordon has created what I consider to be a decent, solid pop album full of the crowd pleasing electronic vibe and ankle-deep lyrics. Let’s hope she follows a similar path to that of her stage sister Kelis - who for over a decade of working the RnB/Pop scene reinvented herself creating tracks which were deep with meaning and expression without sacrificing her position in the pop world. And with that I say, good luck to you Gordon, good luck.
A. Shikari