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Bionic (Album Cover)

No doubt this record is one of the highly anticipated LPs of Year 2010, as it’s her first studio album in four years since 2006’s “Back to Basics“!!! Stylized as {Bi~ΟΠ~iC}, the album boasts a mixture of talented artists and producers that Christina chose to work with.

Onboard the project are DJ Switch & John Hill, which are both Santigold and M.I.A frequent collaborators (and both artists worked on this album too!!). On the urban genre, we have Ester Dean, Focus, Tricky Stewart, Polow da Don & Claude Kelly. Rounding up the rest, there’s Linda Perry (definitely), Sia, Ladytron and Le Tigre.

{Bi~ΟΠ~iC} will be released on June 7th, 2010 in the UK and June 8th, 2010 in the US. Some territories have already gotten the chance to get the album ’cause the release date is June 4th!!!

First Impressions

I had SKY HIGH expectations on the sound of this album as Xtina expressed countless times on the futuristic direction for the album. Being a synth/electro lover myself, obviously I’ll be hyped!!! When “Genie 2.0” debuted, my eyes gleamed upon hearing it. I’m sure most would agree with me that it’s a right path to go.

Fast forward to March 30th 2010, Xtina shocked me (and countless listeners too) with “Not Myself Tonight“, also affectionately known as NMT. Urm, yes, it’s still electro-pop, but the urban vibe still lingers. I’m not really amused with the whole image she’s trying to portray on the single sleeve and the video. More on that on the track by track review later on.

After listening to the entire deluxe edition of the album on repeat mode, I feel like the album needs some quality control with its tracklisting. Some songs don’t really blend in with each other. Consistency and cohesiveness are the key. The album sounds messy and patchy at places. But, there are songs in this album which are the best she’ve ever released in her musical career so far.

Track by Track Review

• Bionic
  Many could hear the Santigold influence in this track, as it sounds disturbingly similar to Santigold’s “Creator“. Well, the track involves DJ Switch and John Hill, sans Santigold herself. It’s actually a great opener track to introduce this album with. A little electro-dancehall pop number. I love the pre-chorus hook.
• Not Myself Tonight
  Lead single from the album. It only peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 (debut spot!!) and radio shuns it. Albeit my intial shock from the image and the video, the song is in fact, good! Many sees this single as the “Dirrty” for this album. The sound is definitely for the radio, whether you like it or not. Like how Christina put it, “And if you don’t like it, F**K you”.
• Woohoo (Feat. Nicki Minaj)
  What seems to be the leak after NMT premiered on airplay is going to her 2nd single. *Raises eyebrows* another urban souding track!!! It started to become questionable on the futuristic aspect. Fear not, it’s only the 2nd track. Although many sees this move as the ’sinking ship’ track, it’s ideal for a summer release. Quite an explicit dancehall number, Nicki’s presence adds flavour to this naughty track. I’m sure the video would be sexually charged too. Oh wells…
• Elastic Love
  Like finally!!! 2 tracks apart from the brilliant album opener, be prepared for some ear-gasm experience!!! The song sounds so fantastic on album quality and with at least a decent sound system. Co-written by M.I.A, DJ Switch, John Hill and herself, the layers of bouncy synth is just too irresistible.
• Desnudate
  It’s a span-glish track!!! Desnúdate means get undress/naked. The chorus is pretty catchy.
• Glam
  Initially perceived as the album’s first single when the track was announced way back, it definitely ain’t single material. Otherwise, it’s a great addition as an album track. The snaps and the beat from the bass drum are captivating. The song wont hit the iconic status of Madonna’s “Vogue“, but it serves as a great intepretation of it.
• Prima Donna
  Only the chorus is memorable. Sounds like she’s trying to be a hustler. =X
• Sex for Breakfast
  This steamy jazzy track marks the start of the ballads for the next couple of tracks. Xtina is sounding sultry here. I do prefer the intro though (Morning Dessert).
• Lift Me Up
  The lone Linda Perry produced track. First heard at the “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon, it’s a standard heartfelt ballad that’s meant for the radio. Should be a single. Would do well on the Adult Contemporary chart.
• All I Need
  The first of four Sia-penned tracks. Sounds like a lullaby for her son. Has a meaning to it. The subtle tone of the track is comfortable.
• I Am
  Second of the four Sia-penned tracks. Remember that I did mention this album contains some of the best work of Christina’s career?? This song is one of them!!! The message being told on nobody’s perfect is indeed true. In reality, you can’t expect invulnerability. Learn to accept the minor flaws in life. I wish for it to be a single, but once released it’ll be overplayed and many people would murder the song. =(
• You Lost Me
  Third of the four Sia-penned tracks. This track just give me the chills (in a good way). Christina gets to unleash her vocal prowess. The power ballad made me teared a little too.
• I Hate Boys
  And it starts to go downhill from here. At only 2:24, it’s skippable.
• My Girls (Feat. Peaches)
  Another song that I would omit out. Peaches provides a rap (!!??). It’s meant to be an anthem, but Le Tigre can definitely do better than this.
• Vanity
  I’ve a love/hate relationship with this song. Only for the narcissistic individual, the unexpected sample of “Here Comes the Bride” is rather interesting.
• Monday Morning
  Now for the deluxe edition bonus tracks. I love the new-wave sound of this song!!! Never fail to get me singing, especially on the chorus!!! Brought to you by Santigold, John Hill and DJ Switch. Reminds me a little of Ashlee Simpson’s Ragdoll, which is also written by Santigold.
• Bobblehead
  The Ke$ha wannabe-track. Guess she taken a leaf from the aged “Hollaback Girl” too.
• Birds of Prey
  A haunting electro confection by Ladytron. I like the moody and melancholic vibe of this track.
• Stronger Than Ever
  Last of the 4 Sia-penned tracks. Some fans compare this song with “Fighter“, which I beg to differ. It has to slow rock feeling to it. Needs a little more punch in the chorus though.
• I Am (Stripped)
  Basically a more acoustic version of the original track, I still prefer that to this. =)
• Little Dreamer
  Another Ladytron-produced track, not as good as the first but a decent album closer.

Final Verdict
As displayed on the album cover, she’s half-human and half-bionic, which probably suggests the transformation is not complete. The album as a whole, sounds confused, especially with the urban tracks. Christina should go on all out and go with the alternative electro-pop route. It’s clear that those songs on the album have positive reception and response to them already.

I would suggest splitting the album into 2. One with the electro tracks and the other with the urban tracks. It would feel more cohesive that way. This album has the potential to be her best album to date, but it’s marred by some of the unnecessary tracks. For a pop album, it succeeds. But as a forward sounding album, it feels a little half-heartedly in terms of effort.

This album scores a 3.5 out of 5.

Recommended Tracks
Christina Aguilera – Elastic Love
Christina Aguilera – Glam
Christina Aguilera – Monday Morning
Christina Aguilera – Brids of Prey