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The 2nd studio album by Jordin Sparks (American Idol Season 6 Winner), titled “Battlefield” was released on July 17th in Australia and Ireland, July 20th in the UK and July 21th, 2009 worldwide (mostly). The album debuted at number 7 in the US Billboard 200 album chart (Demi Lovato went number 1 on the same week).

First Impressions
Apologies for the late review, wanted to tie in with AOTM. =) Back to topic, my expectations were quite high when I first heard Battlefield. A big power-pop song indeed. Once I listen the album for the first time, I was like ‘Is she staying as a pop-tart forever??’. After all, she’s only 19 (still aint out of the teen phase yet). As yet with a standard pop album, it’s too safe. No doubt she has more creative control from her first album. I do quite like the Urban side of her though. Think “No Air” and “Freeze“.

Standout Tracks

• Walking on Snow
  This song catches my ears as soon as I hear it for the first time. Chorus would definitely hook you up. Decent album opener.
• Battlefield
  I prefer the Jason Nevins Mixshow remix of this song though, focusing on the haunting piano intro. Giving the song an extra something that the original lacks.
• Don’t Let It Go to Your Head
  I don’t know why would she cover this song, originally by Fefe Dobson. Only that point is worth mentioning.
• S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)
  Samples “Let The Music Play” by Shannon. A good follow-up single to the first. Tunes’ alright, nothing much to complain about.
• It Takes More
  I like the pop-R&B approach to this song. I particularly like the chorus.
• Was I the Only One
  I couldn’t get the tune of the chorus out of my head. I just dunno why. Perhaps it’s the simple, soft melody. A rather sad song too.

Final Verdict
The album kinda falls flat towards the end, even the bonus tracks couldn’t save it. I found myself skipping the last 2 tracks always. Hoping that the Japanese bonus track “Landmines” would save it from grace.Would cover the song when it’s out. Overall, an improvement from the first album(which is has tons of fillers after the first few tracks), but not exactly groundbreaking. I prefer Kristinia’s album to this.

This album scores 3 out of 5.