Album Review: Robin Thicke – Blurred Lines
3 min read
Robin Thicke has struggled a little over the years to climb to the top of the fickle mainstream ladder where such a talented, vocal-maestro feels at home. Previous outings like The Evolution of Robin Thicke and Sex Therapy have grazed the surface of mainstream slightly but nothing that the singer has done so far has launched Robin into the thick of it to quite the degree as his latest studio effort.
Thankfully, with all of the hard work he has put into his career over these past 10 years and the 5 albums he has churned out to date, this being his sixth, the international spotlight is now firmly centered on the musician following his latest hit, Blurred Lines. Perhaps some of the attention has been caused by the lead tracks raunchy video of naked models dancing around in a 4 minute titillating spectacal, a decision that has caused Thicke a bit of stick in the media recently with many media outlets deeming the video as ‘sexist’. I can’t quite recall the same being said about other videos with such heavy sexual themes – Nikki Minaj’s Starships being a fine example of such.
The titles track proves just the beginning of Thicke’s strut into a new level of music domination as we open the lid on his new 10 track musical vault.
The albums lead single really shows off Thicke’s vocal dexterity as he bends and blends playfully within 4 minutes of seductive, sexually charged beats and hooks alongside fellow heavyweights T.I and hit-maker Pharrell who has recently worked his magic on Daft Punks latest comeback track, Get Lucky. It is an intro that really takes charge and drives the remainder of this new record.
Take It Easy ignites a danceable electro-backbone within a number brimming with energetic hooks while the following Ooo La La is overflowing with breathy vocals and a retro instrumentation while the foundation of the track is built solidly around a Motown inspired arrangement – a sound that runs densely throughout the entire album.
Give It 2 U takes the runner-up prize for lyrical scene stealing with Robin’s blatant bragging; “I got this for you, a little Thicke for you – A big kiss for you… big d*ck for you,” around guest rapper Kendrick Lamar’s brief yet punchy rap lickings and the tracks grinding, acid-spiked instrumentation.
Feel Good is bustling with infectious, hook-heavy vocal ad-libs and is carried by a pulsating techno-infused spine – a track we are sure remix heavy-weights are aching to get their hands on. This one stands out on the collection as one of the track-listings most memorable inclusions while the following The Rest of my Life and the albums closing number, The Good Life, unleash powerful 60’s inspired nostalgia; both numbers bringing forward Thicke’s ballad-penning skills within the mainly-uptempo collection.
Blurred Lines is a brilliantly inspiring collection of disco-flavored gems, sentimentally rich ballads and occasionally saucy but exceedingly catchy nuggets of power-pop driven sexiness that has done the job of putting this superstar on the international map. The title track may have gotten Robin Thicke some unwanted jibes from the world media but it has certainly got the world talking and dancing along to the multi-talented songsmiths unique sound and style and has led way for one of the catchiest collections we have heard all year.
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::: RenownedForSound.com’s Editor and Founder –
Interviewing and reviewing the best in new music and globally recognized artists is his passion.
Over the years he has been lucky enough to review thousands of music releases and concerts and interview artists ranging from top selling superstars like 27-time Grammy Award winner Alison Krauss, Boyz II Men, Roxette, Cyndi Lauper, Lisa Loeb and iconic Eagles front man/songwriter, Glenn Frey through to more recent successes including Newton Faulkner, Janelle Monae and Caro Emerald.
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