Pharrell Williams
G I R L
Reviewed by: Sebastian Mackay
I expected less from one half of the tragedy that was “Blurred Lines” and so to say this album is utterly dreadful is presumptuous. It’s by no means earth shattering and it doesn’t bring anything new to the genre, or Pharrell’s lengthening discography (he’s played it fairly safe. No, he’s played very safe). Simple beats and music over simple vocal lines and choruses. Vocally it finds its feet in being catchy and, naturally, has moments where it doesn’t.
We’re faced with music that’s a bit sexy, a bit more sleazy and a nib jazzy. But ultimately G I R L is an album about girls and “wanting to be dirty, girl” (like I said, not original). The moans as the backing track to “Gush” have been chopped, very awkwardly, undoubtedly trying to avoid sounding like a a bad porno. The strings, and they make appearances now and again, fail miserably to class this album up. Its the Great Gatsby gone horribly, horribly wrong.
“Happy” is the catchiest, most infectious, equally pointless but still entertaining track on the album. It’s more upbeat than some of what comes before it and its merits end there.
Rating: Listenable
