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Ke$ha - Animal

Happy 2010 to all DIRRTY fans. =) Here’s the first album review for the year 2010. A new year and a new decade. More exciting music coming up this year. I just wanna apologise for the lack of updates due to health issues. The rest of the report card articles would be up asap. For now, a debut album from a new artist.

As I’ve featured her previously on the “Upcoming Freshies” column, she’s definitely one of the artist to watch out for in 2010. Just a short note, I’ll tweak the review format a little. I would more or less do an entire album review and I’ll pinpoint out potential singles from the albums for future posts and those tracks would be featured as downloads in these posts too, prompting you guys to buy the albums. SUPPORT!!!! =)

First Impressions
Touted as the “Lady Gaga” of 2010, I wouldn’t necessarily compare them musically. They are of different leagues. But in terms of success, there are similarities. Riding on the fame of “Right Round” as she was featured on the vocals, it made a platform for her to get notice. The musical style of Ke$ha is more of trash-brat party electro pop (think 3OH!3 and LMFAO). I would deemed her as Katy Perry on crack. Don’t expect meaningful lyrics as it doesn’t make any sense (but a drunken hippie would). This album is not strictly for the faint-hearted and just listen to it with a open mind. It’s also Auto-Tuned throughout the whole album, so if it annoys you, listen elsewhere. I’m reviewing this album through a neutral perspective, playing no favourites (as I do with my other reviews too).

Just a few facts, she has writing credits to all of the songs in the album and has contributions with the likes of Dr Luke, Max Martin and Benny Blanco. Some of her songs are featured on various MTV shows prior to this album release (The Hills, Teen Cribs and My Super Sweet 16). She also co-wrote The Veronicas‘ “This Love” with Toby Gad, sang background vocals for Britney Spears‘ “Lace and Leather” and appeared in the video of Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl“.

Track Review

• Your Love Is My Drug
  One of the song that appears on the album sampler last year. I didn’t really like this song on the first listen back then and here it is, as the album opener. Quite an appropriate introduction to set the mood of the whole album, as it gets better after this. Get ready to party!!!
• TiK ToK
  First single. Number #1 on the Bilboard Hot 100. Pretty much the party anthem for most people out there now. Sad enough to say, I do think it deserves the number #1. Don’t ask me why. Haha. Perhaps it’s nice to be senseless at times and just let loose.
• Take It Off
  Potential single #1. Samples heavily on Robert Miles‘ 1995 trance-lite hit “Children“. Loving the chorus. Uber energetic. “Where they go hardcore, and there’s glitter on the floor”. I’m amused. =)
• Kiss N Tell
  Potential single #2. With Dr Luke, Max Martin and Shellback contributing to this track, nothing would go wrong right?? It’s POP!!!
• Stephen
  Not to be confused with Taylor Swift’s song of the same name, the pace slows down a little on this song. Mid-tempo, just a typical auto-tuned pop song. Nothing exciting.
• Blah Blah Blah (Feat. 3OH!3)
  Potential single #3. Turn the volume up!!! Loving this track too. Beats are insane. It’s very radio friendly.
• Hungover
  A ballad. It doesn’t has the allure like Katy’s “Thinking of You“. Lacks emotion. This song describes more on the after-party effects.
• Party At a Rich Dude’s House
  A ‘jumping-on-the-bed’ kinda track. This track is sorta inspired on that she once vomited in Paris Hilton’s closet while working on her album.
• Backstabber
  I do like the structure and tune of this song. The lyrics are rather catty-like.
• Blind
  Potential single #4. It’s a Fergie-like song. Has the “Big Girls Don’t Cry” vibe. Tempo’s roughly around there too.
• Dinosaur
  A weird song. Kinda intriguing. Definitely has a beat. =)
• Dancing With Tears in My Eyes
  Potential single #5. This song is supposed to be autobiographical but given the vibe of the entire album, it’s a little difficult to treat her seriously. Don’t ya think?? Nevertheless, a good song.
• Boots & Boys
  Ke$ha stated in an interview that she makes it a point to sing the same way men traditionally sang about women in this song. Suggestively. Indeed, there’s joy with both. =)
• Animal
  The title track and the last track of the album (technically). It starts slows, builds up towards to the danceable chorus. The verses are ballad-like. Falls in the filler catergory for me.
• V.I.P (Bonus Track)
  I like the 80’s inspired psychedelic disco sound of this track. That’s worth the mention as compared to the other bonus tracks.

Final Verdict
Ke$ha said in an interview that when it came to her music she wanted to “give people something that brings them joy”. “There are artists who do more serious acoustic stuff, and I really admire them, but what I want to bring to the table is just fucking fun.” As quoted by her.

I dare say that Ke$ha is one of the artist that sorta defines the sound of what POP would sound like this decade (another is definitely Lady Gaga). The previous decade was Britney and Christina, and along the way there’s Justin T.

There are plenty of songs that’s like TiK ToK scattered across the album. It’s meant to be fun, letting oneself loose and forget any worries. This album does that well. As for lyrics with meanings and stuff, you’ll find that this album is soul-less. It would be interesting to see if she could go down this road in the following years to come. For now, take out your dancing shoes and don your clubbing wear ’cause we’re definitely gonna have fun with this album. =)

This album scores a 4 out of 5.

Recommended Tracks
Ke$ha – Take It Off
Ke$ha – Kiss N Tell
Ke$ha – Blah Blah Blah (Feat. 3OH!3)