Ryan ChartrandYou have to hand it to her: Gwen Stefani has balls (metaphorically speaking, of course). With the release of her new album “The Sweet Escape,” Stefani definitely pushes the limits of normalcy. But fans of her previous and first solo album, 2004’s “Love. Angel. Music. Baby.” (which earned her seven Grammy nominations and one win), and of her days as the lead singer of rock/pop/ska band No Doubt are wondering where the old Stefani went.
No, the shit is not bananas this time around. Sure, “Wind It Up”- that catchy, pop song with yodeling from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music”- is all over the radio and music video networks, but there is only so much of the bubblegum/synthesized music listeners can take.
A majority of the 13 songs on the album are ballads, something new for Stefani, and something she should save for other artists to handle. “Breakin’ Up” and “Early Winter” are Stefani’s attempts at reaching the listeners’ emotions, but both fail to accomplish this. Most listeners are more interested in listening to songs similar to smash hits “Hollaback Girl” and “Bubble Pop Electric.”
Songs like “4 in the Morning,” “Orange County Girl,” and “Yummy” are repetitive in lyrics and beats:
“I’m feeling Yummy head to toe (you see me),
Ain’t got no patience so let’s go (you see me),
Look, I’m diet drama,
Wanna spend the night? Don’t bring pajamas,
Man there’s so much heat beneath these clothes (you see me).”
The lyrics in “Yummy” obviously do not impress, and it sounds like an elephant is dying in the background of this hip-hop beat song, which features rapper/producer Pharrell.
Also featured on the album is rapper Akon in “The Sweet Escape,” which, similar to “Wind It Up,” is one song listeners will find replaying in their heads because of the funky backgrounds and pop-y lightheartedness.
Plenty of people will enjoy her new music despite these faults. The upbeat songs can get just as addicting as the candy she talks about in her lyrics. Much like her last album, Stefani pushes the limits of popular music and attempts to be as original as possible. However, this time, she tries too hard to be innovative and ends up sounding bizarre.
In the end, “The Sweet Escape” begs the question where the old Stefani has gone. With No Doubt, she was recognized for her punk style and distinctive voice and listeners loved her for it. Now, as pop royalty, her new eccentric approach to music is pushing the old fan base away.
Ultimately, Stefani’s originality fails to produce music capable of impressing listeners. If anything, Stefani has a few fun tracks for the fans. But for those interested in finding a new album to listen to from beginning to end, “The Sweet Escape” is not it.