Music Review - Breathe In. Breathe Out.
I don't usually do reviews, so bare with me. Here is my review of Hilary Duff's new album, Breathe in. Breathe out.
I've known Hilary Duff for a long time. I like her movies, I like her books, and I like her music. And what I like most is, that in all of these genres, Hilary does what she wants to do. If she wants to make an electric album, she will. If she wants to play a racy character, she will. But somehow, you'll always know it's Hilary. It's hers. She may not be the best, but she works hard and it shows. She wanted to make an upbeat, pop album with folk influences, and here it is.
The opening track is lead single, Sparks. 7/10 for this one. The whistling is catchy, putting an original spin on a repetative dance track. However, it's starting to become boring.
My Kind. 9/10. Easily the strongest song on the album. Synthesisers are popular thoughout the album, but here they are put to effective use with the beat. The song creates an air of mystery that explodes with energy at the chorus. I love it! It makes me smile and I want to dance all night long to this.
One in a Million. 7/10. Hilary shows a bit more of her vocal versatility in this track. The bridge is clever and I like the lyrics here, but the chorus lets the song down by just repeating the title. Plus, I feel like I have heard it before.
Confetti. 7/10. I like the way this song builds up to the chorus, that's clever, but the lyrics are rather weak, making the song feel like an album filler.
Breathe In, Breathe Out. 8/10. This song is personal; Hilary's connection to this track is much more apparant. Some lyrics are weak, then others are good. I especially like 'Until I feel alright, I'm gonna fake it'. The third verse is better than that of other tracks.
Lies. 10/10. This is my favourite song. If you have heard her track 'Gypsy Woman', from the Dignity album (also the best song on that album), this will feel familiar to you. It delivers a strong emotional impact, with a gorgeous melody and strong beat. I can imagine Alex (the main character of my current writing project) stamping her foot to this. Again, the chorus is repetitive, but delivered with conviction. The lyrics of the verses and bridge make up for it. 'We're falling apart, we're falling apart, like a house of cards.' Beautiful and strong.
Arms around a Memory. 6/10. I feel like the album struggles from here. The vocals are too 'easy', too clean. Anyone could have sang this, it sounds like a demo. There's nothing special or personal about the music, it sounds like any other dance track.
Stay in Love. 6/10. The lyrics of this song are better than arms around a memory, until half way through the second verse. 'We need to break up,' lyrics like that only work when delivered in a unique way. I feel an artist like Kelly Clarkson could have done more with this song. The chorus feels like it's supposed to be more powerful, but it just didn't work out that way.
Brave Heart. 7/10. Finally the beat changes. By now I'm thinking the album is getting samey. The last two tracks barely varied at all. Hilary, please, stop shouting the chorus at me. There are other ways to deliver hard hitting vocals. I like the lyrics, they're sweet. Becomes repetitive again at the end.
Tattoo. 8/10. Opening with just guitar, this song freshens up the album. Written by Ed sheeran, his mark on this track is obvious. The beat is typical Ed. The lyrics are lovely, and delivered in a soft manner that suits. I'm not sure if I hear a hint of autotune every now and then, could be my headphones tricking me, but it puts me off. Finally a decent third verse! 'See these scars, leaving blood on my little white dress.' It's worth checking out the acoustic version Hilary did of this, it's better.
Picture This. 4/10. Instantly I am put off by the whistling introduction, then the samey beat comes back. Then the shouty chorus. Sorry, I want to skip it.
Night Like This. 7/10. Such a nice Intro! That guitar is blissful. I like the conversational lyrics, and the little clap before the chorus. Which then lets the song down. Again. There is not repetition though, thank goodness. It's a sweet beat, cute melody, but it doesn't get stong enough. Finally, right at the end, some energy and emotion shines through. It's needed in the chorus though.
Belong. 7/10. This is probably the most folky song. I like the music after the chorus. The chorus it's self is shouty again, rather than powerful. It's worth gritting your teeth and letting it slide to enjoy the rest of the song. The third verse is rather clever, challenging you to take note and listen.
Rebel Heart 7/10. An energetic start, with well delivered vocals! Yay! The bridge is dreamy, and then the beat kicks in and it's dancy, and good. I like the lyrics, 'we light up in the dark, we fight for who we are, we got those rebel hearts,' however I have heard it all before. Colbie Caillat's Blaze is similar. Which is also a good song.
If you get the fan version (or super deluxe or whatever), you get Outlaw. Why was this missed off the album? It is way better than some of the songs that did make the cut. Great lyrics, an original beat, lots of energy, 9/10.
You can also get Chasing the Sun (4/10), a very weak and light folky song, and All About You (9/10), which should have made the cut. Folky too, it is catchy and uplifting.
Overall, I like this album. The stand out tracks make it worth while. It's over produced, and begs attention, rather than letting the music speak for it's self, but it is also something different in today's crowded music market. Give it a chance.
Overall: three stars, 7/10.