Album Review: Demi Lovato Finds Self Love & 'Confidence' on Smash New Album

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Confident album cover (Hollywood Records/Island Records).

Demi Lovato's development through her music career has been a roller coaster. From her Disney start to admittance of self-harm, Lovato has demonstrated the strength that a woman in the spotlight must have in order to grow past her obstacles. Her new album, Confident, is Lovato's version of a promotion of that strength and self love she has found through her journey. The album includes the summer smash, "Cool for the Summer," as well as her recent hit, "Confident." Both singles promote the ‘ballsy,’ vibrant vibe that the rest of the album procures. Confident also includes features from other strong female artists including Iggy Azalea. From the cover artwork to the lyrics, Lovato seems to be tapping into the prime of her career.

One song that explains Lovato’s journey to a healthier state of mind is “Old Ways.” It’s the third track on the album following her two singles. She begins, “It was fun playing with knives until a blade stuck in the left side of my chest, surprise.” She continues, stating, “And I’ll just keep changing these colors, I’m not in the same place that I was, but if somebody tells me I’ll go back to my old ways, I’ll say no way...” This is Lovato’s blatant argument in her newfound strength and determination to remove herself from the weaker mental and emotional state she used to hold. It is her fight song and “screw you” against the haters and nonbelievers who might doubt her. She argues, “I’m not burning out, I’m not afraid to fall.” This is the perfect song to put on when a listener needs some motivational music. Defiance is the key word to “Old Ways” and is a perfect follow up to her two hits in the beginning of the album.

Lovato’s song with Azalea, “Kingdom Come,” is another powerful song on Confident. Not only does the song portray two strong female voices, it also includes techno/pop backbeats like the rest of the album that create great dance music, as well. The chorus begins with a slow, “You’re my kingdom come,” and concludes with Lovato singing, “Sit me on your throne.” Azalea comes in partway through the song with her rap and beat that adds a sound very similar to her hit with Rita Ora, “Black Widow.”

By far the most vulnerable and sentimental song on the album is Lovato’s last song, “Father.” It explains her emotional status in regards to her broken father figure. In addition, Lovato describes a mix of hatred but understanding for his weakness that created the separation from her as a child. The song is slower and much less dance-party than the rest of her album. The song also hints at his death and recognition of his place in heaven. The open, emotional wound he has left is something that touches the listener and creates a contrast to the powerful defiance of “Old Ways” and “Kingdom Come.” “Father” also displays the range and beauty of Lovato’s voice. Her vocal quality is impressive to say the least, and the ballad offers her fans a full experience of this.

Confident is exactly what the album title’s name implies: it is Lovato’s growing confidence as an artist, female, and fighter. Everyone has obstacles to conquer in life, and she had to go through hers under the bright spotlight of fame. However, Lovato has come out the other side stronger than ever musically and personally. Fans will enjoy the album as a dance, pump-up playlist but also as a tap into her emotional growth and understanding.

Photos: Tove Lo Brings "Queen of the Clouds" Tour to Royale in Boston

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Tove Lo performing at Royale Boston on October 14th, 2015 (Benjamin Esakof/Roman's Rap-Up).

Swedish singer Tove Lo brought her "Queen of the Clouds" tour to Boston Wednesday night. Tove has recently taken America by storm with her radio hits "Stay High," "Talking Bodies," and her feature on Alesso's "Heroes," which has resulted in her selling out shows across the country, including this show in Boston and even being added to iHeartRadio's Jingle Ball arena tour.

Check out photos from the show below:

Photos: R. Kelly Performs at The Forum in Los Angeles

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R. Kelly perfomring at The Forum in Los Angeles on October 10th, 2015 (Gibson Dintersmith/Roman's Rap-Up).

Saturday night’s show at The Forum in Los Angeles started with a great set from Demetria McKinney, and only got better from there. Opening-act Tyrese lit up the arena when he brought out the legendary Too $hort, proving to be a difficult act to follow, but R. Kelly was up to the challenge. As soon as he entered the stage, the entire 8,000 plus crowd in attendance, which had previously been seated, rose to their feet, many starstruck by Kelly’s presence. With a mix of both newer and older music, he was able to retain the enthusiasm of the crowd throughout his entire set. It was definitely not a show to miss, and the epicness of his performance was obvious from the crowd’s reaction. 

See photos from the show below:

Album Review: Hip-Hop Meets Caribbean on R. City's Infectious Debut "What Dreams Are Made Of"

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"What Dreams Are Made Of" album cover (RCA Records). 

R. City has topped the charts recently with their hit “Locked Away” featuring Maroon 5-singer Adam Levine. The rappers include the hit on their new album, What Dreams Are Made Of, which was released October 9th on Kemosabe/RCA Records. The duo began as writers, creating hits such as Rihanna’s “Pour it Up’ and Miley Cyrus’s “We Can’t Stop,” and have now transitioned into full fledged artists. R. City raps with a Bob Marley reggae sound twist. The rest of their album strays from the pop sound of “Locked Away” and connects to the rap essence of R. City with a few notable features such as Akon. Akon shares a sound similar to R. City in the fact that both use smoothness to their advantage as apposed to straight up raw rap lyrics. 

Their song, “Live by the Gun,” is one of the more intense songs on the album. Akon begins with the foreboding lyrics, “You live by the gun, die by the gun.” The lyrics explain the conditions of the ghetto and slums where rappers like Akon and R. City grew up. There’s a catchy backbeat incorporated into verses about different people and their unfortunate stories of growing up in the ghetto. After the repetitive phrase, “You live by the gun, die by the gun,” Akon adds, “You kinda had that coming.” Originally, a listener gets the typical street vibe from the rap. However, Akon and R. City create a sharp twist by criticizing the lifestyle. As rappers who grew up in similar circumstances, it comes as a notable shock. They explain that death is the result of a street lifestyle instead of commending its intensity, as many rappers seem to do. “Live by the Gun” is almost a plea for social change in these parts of cities where atrocities such as youth deaths occur due to drug trafficking and unnecessary violence. It is important to recognize the significance when rappers create a social critique from an area in which they are familiar.

R. City’s hype and ego song off the album is certainly “Broadway.” Much like Drake’s raps encouraging his success and career, R. City brags about their development as rappers in comparison to where they started. They sing, “We’re broad, we’re broad, we’re broader than Broadway.” One of their verses states, “Never let my people down, them non believers, they believe us now. I'm just a common nig-- with a dream who's standing tall enough for y'all to see.” R. City also reflects on their past including the humble lifestyle of their past jobs. “Broadway” is an incredible contrast to “Live by the Gun” as it demonstrates R. City’s successful escape from lives of gangsters. It explains perseverance and determination in order to conquer one’s goals no matter the level of impossibility. This is definitely R. City’s self-declaration song; pop music’s current comparable version is Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song” currently on the charts.  

R. City’s What Dreams Are Made Of is exploding off of their recent success with “Locked Away.” However, that hit with Levine is not the limit of R. City’s ability. In theme with the title, What Dreams Are Made Of, R. City certainly seems to be living their dreams with hopes of climbing higher. Hip-hop and rap fans can expect to see more of R. City hits and less of behind-the-scenes work as previously demonstrated.

Album Review: Selena Gomez Bares All & Shows Mature Side on "Revival"

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Selena Gomez has grown up. If that wasn’t evident from her recent singles, “Good for You” and “Same Old Love,” Gomez’s album release of Revival cements the singer’s plummet into the life of a grown woman. The album cover itself argues this message, as it is Gomez posed completely naked. The album includes “Good for You” and “Same Old Love” as well as twelve other sexual, empowering tracks that create a Beyoncé-like twist to Gomez. There is a combination of fast and slow paced songs, but the general tone is pop-infused backbeats with playful lyrics. 

Gomez’s first stand out track on the album is “Revival.” It begins with a monologue from Gomez herself, stating, “I dive into the future, but I am blinded by the sun. I am reborn in every moment, so who knows what I’ll become.”  The song’s message is exactly what its title states: Gomez’s revival. Whether she means literally due to her hiatus from music back in 2013 that fans now know was due to her lupus diagnosis, or figuratively as a pick-me-up call to action, Gomez demonstrates a desire to continue her journey. It is imminent that this song begins the album, as it sets the tone for the remaining tracks.

Attention to the other side of Gomez’s album, the sexually charged and the intimate, must be noted. “Body Heat” is one song that includes a Latin-sounding backbeat all about seducing a guy. “All I need, all I need is your body heat right next to me.” Furthermore, Gomez states, “My red lips have found a new obsession.” This is certainly a song to look out for on the club scene because the beat makes for dance-oriented music while the lyrics are fun and free.

“Me and My Girls” is another more promiscuous song that Gomez accomplishes off the album. It’s a powerful combination of a complimentary ode to her friends as well as a tease to men. “I know we’re making you thirsty, you want us all in the worst way, but you don’t understand, I don’t need a man, me and my girls.” This is certainly a track that any girl friend group can blast getting ready to go out or in any social setting. It’s a declaration for love of friends even if men are tempting; “I’m going home with who I came with, and who I came with’s not you.” It screams G.N.O. and also infuses Latin-sounding beats with the saxophone in the background. 

As much as the album includes fun songs such as “Me and My Girls” and “Body Heat,” Gomez still keeps the theme of empowerment alive with “Rise.” The lyrics are about standing up against one’s struggles with inner strength. The chorus repeats the phrase, “You can rise.” With a choral accompaniment in the background, it sounds as if a fleet of people is encouraging the listener to rise. The effect is powerful. Gomez becomes a supporter of her fans through “Rise,” a tool that demonstrates a successful conversation between musician and listener. Musicians have the ability to convey messages, both positive and negative, and Gomez takes advantage of promoting female empowerment in addition to feminine sexuality.

Gomez has beautifully transitioned from a Disney tween star to a gorgeous female role model in Hollywood. Her album, Revival, attains many qualities of other successful female musicians of this era. Her pop sound from previous albums still resonates, but Gomez accomplishes conveying the two important sides of what it means to be a modern-day female: sexuality and strength.