Pulse (Album Cover)

In conjunction with dirrtysean’s Toni week, I present you with the review of “Pulse“!!! Alright, I’m getting a little cheesy here (I’m supposed to do it anyway, Haha). Being Toni’s 6th studio album, it’s her first album in five years and serves as her debut for the Atlantic label after signing a new record deal. The album debuted at number 9 on the US Billboard 200 Album chart, pretty decent I must say. It also entered at number 1 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

The album was originally scheduled for release in 2009, but then pushed back to February 2, 2010 before ultimately being released May 4, 2010. It’s because seven of the album’s ten songs had leaked onto the net and so she had decided to go back into the studio to record new songs. I do wish that some of the leaked tracks made it on the album though, cause they’re good!!!! More on that later….

First Impressions

By appearing and being a contestant on the seventh season of Dancing with the Stars, people took notice of her and this made it a great opportunity for her to release some new material. This album would probably go under the radar for some as expectations are low since “Libra” was barely promoted. Actually, this album matches as a quality comback album. Better than Whitney, definitely.

Track by Track Review

• Yesterday
  The lead single from the album. A version featuring Trey Songz was released, serving as the US single, while the solo version was released internationally. I personally prefer the album/solo version of it. The production is of a classic R&B track on that. Paired with it’s bitter lyrics, this song is meant to be an uber big heartbreak ballad that rivals Beyonce’s “Halo“. It’s one of my chosen top singles for 2009 btw. =)
• Make My Heart
  Toni doesn’t disappoint with doing an uptempo song too. The infectious sound of the horns makes this track danceable and groovy.
• Hands Tied
  Released concurrently with “Make My Heart“, both songs serves as the 2nd singles for the album. Meaning there’s 2!!!! While the former is a club banger, this track is a classic sound coming from Toni.
• Woman
  Those of you who doesn’t know, this song is actually a cover version of the original song by Delta Goodrem from her 2007 album “Delta“. A pretty decent ballad to cover. Suits her voice to a T.
• If I Have To Wait
  This song is rather meaningful lyrically. It’s a risk we’ll take if we really love someone.
• Lookin’ At Me
  The leaked version features Sean Paul on the song, but the finished album version ‘killed’ him off. Sounds a little generic and filler-ish. Not as impactful as “Make My Heart“.
• Wardrobe
  This song could totally fit in a SATC soundtrack. Some critics noted that this song is a little too cheerful and youthful for Toni, I think otherwise. It’s a pop-jam with a catchy beat!!! Loves playing this song when I rummage through my wadrobe. =X
• Hero
  Formerly titled as “Heart Never had A Hero“, as heard in the chorus too. Kara DioGuardi had a hand in co-writing this track. This song is alright to me.
• No Way
  I’m sure Toni would sound great perfoming this song on acoustic. Has a Jazz influence.
• Pulse
  Title track of the album. I exceptionally love the chorus to this song. Has the potential to be a single.
• Why Won’t You Love Me
  A great album closer (if you don’t include the bonus tracks). Singing about an unrequited love, the beautiful but sad chorus is extremely captivating.
• Yesterday (Feat. Trey Songz)
  Included as only a bonus track, this version of the song has a slightly different beat from the original version as mentioned. But I do quite like the verse by Trey Songz though.
• Stay
  My favourite bonus track from the album, this midtempo is quite addictive. At least the songs made it on the album.
• Melt
  Remember earlier in the post I commented that some songs being leaked but didn’t appear on the album, this song is one of them that should be part of it. I wish to highlight it as this song extremely radio-friendly. It deserves a spot on the album.

Final Verdict
Overall, this album is rather consistent as a whole. Toni takes a shot in mixing old school R&B ballads with modern dance-styled tracks, which sounds quite successful as it doesn’t feels forced and awkward. Definitely a good R&B album that’s being released so far this year and ideal for your collection.

This album scores a 3.5 out of 5.

Recommended Tracks
Toni Braxton – Wardrobe
Toni Braxton – Pulse
Toni Braxton – Melt (Unreleased)

Toni Braxyon

Toni Braxton’s latest almost Pulse is out in stores this week. In support of the release, Toni Braxton’s doing her round of promos. She performed Hands Tied on the today show. I’m loving the song but it’s a bit slow even with the string choreography. Anyways, enjoy the performance…

Toni Braxton - Make My Heart

The second track which premiered today on Toni Braxton’s Official website is “Make My Heart“. Like “Hands Tied“, we don’t know if this will be her followup single or not. But i bet it’s just promo singles to bring hype to her upcoming album due in May.

This number is a fast-paced one. With some old school hot elements. But nothing spectacular to me. So far i’m not really liking the two new tracks. Her frist single “Yesterday” is the bomb!

I give this track a

Tony Braxton – Make My Heart

Toni Braxton - Hands Tied

This is one of 2 tracks Toni Braxton just premiered on her official site from her upcoming album Pulse, out on May 4.

The first track is “Hands Tied“. It is not said if this will be the next single track or will serve as a promo track. This is a slow paced song with nice melodies but i don’t think it’s single material.

Enjoy the track!

I give this track a

Toni Braxton – Hands Tied

Singles of 2009!!!

Here’s the second part to the Year-End series, SINGLES!!! As we all know, singles are usually the songs that is send to the radio to promote the artist’s album and generate hype. Below are my picks for the singles released in the entire year of 2009. (The list is in no particular ranking order, alphabetical though)

1. Bad Romance – Lady Gaga [19th October 2009]
Can Gaga actually produce a song that is on par with “Pokerface” to ensure that she ain’t just a one note??? “Bad Romance” is the answer to all those having doubts about her. The “Rah-rah-rah-ah-ah/Roma-roma-mah/Gaga-oh-là-là” hook immediately sucks you in and there’s no escape. Judging form the quality of every track of the Fame Monster, she’s here to stay in the music industry for a long time to come.
Lady Gaga – Bad Romance

2. Bulletproof – La Roux [22nd June 2009]
Brillant Verses and Chorus. A UK Number #1 song. Need me say more??? I would. Haha. The melody of this song is insane too. Excellent use of syth and electro without overdoing it. Plus I *hearts* the vid!!!
La Roux – Bulletproof

3. Earthquake – Little Boots [16th Nov 2009]
This song is slightly moodier as compared to “Remedy”, which is catchy on immediate listen. The fact that it’s a dancefloor material allows me to give it two thumbs up. =)
Little Boots – Earthquake

4. Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z Featuring Alicia Keys [20th Oct 2009]
A heavy-weight collab. And with a chorus as epic as this, Alicia doesn’t disappoint with belting out those vocals. The radio edit is much more listenable than the album version.
Jay-Z Featuring Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind

5. Goodbye – Kristinia DeBarge [April 7th 2009]
A likely anthem that scored a modest hit on the chart (but scored a number 3 on the dance chart). This is how teen-pop should sound like, not like Miley and the Jonas’.
Kristinia DeBarge – Goodbye

6. Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer) – Freemasons Feat. Sophie Ellis-Bextor [June 14th 2009]
Puzzled that this song is here and not on the Remixes Report Card??? Wonder why??? Let me explain. The orginal edit is already produced by The Freemasons themselves, hence even the extended dance edit is considered part of the  family and not being remixed by any remixers yet. The remixes are rubbish btw, the original is epic enough.
Freemasons Feat. Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer)

7. I Like – Keri Hilson [December 11th 2009]
I do like when Keri does abit of electro. There’s something about this song that makes it stands out from some of the bland stuff from her debut album. Given that this song does not have any feature vocalist, it’s nice to hear that she can present it all by herself too. =) And she’s deserves to win the upcoming
Keri Hilson – I Like

8. Why R U – Amerie [June 15th 2009]
“Loving you is like a battle that I can’t afford to lose”. Just this phrase warrants it a spot in this chart. Accompanied by the throwback R&B sound and the heavy vocal delivery by Amerie, it sure is single-worthy. Pity that it under performed.
Amerie – Why R U

9. Yesterday – Toni Braxton [September 29th 2009]
This song is considered as the best R&B ballad in 2009 (by my standards). Everything from the verses to the bridge to the chorus, the entire song can do no wrong. Toni hasn’t had any good material since “Spanish Guitar”, would this song save her then?? Critically, YES. Commercially, it’s not really out there due to promotion. A great song that’s gonna be unheard by the masses. Oh wells.
Toni Braxton – Yesterday

10. You Belong With Me – Taylor Swift [April 20th 2009]
Many wouldn’t be a stranger to this song, easily accessible to all. What makes this song so successful and not get sick of it, is the genuine feelings being put across on this song. I’m sure loads can relate to this song, and the video is a plus for this song too. Very dreamy. =)
Taylor Swift – You Belong With Me

Any comments on ur fave 2009 singles?? Feel free to comment and voice out. The next post would be on remixes!!! Please bear with me for my low article output. I’m going through a rather rough patch now. =( Would finish the rest of the series by end of this month. =)

Here’s the version of Toni Braxton’s Yesterday without Trey Songz, I like it even better! For the Trey Songz version, click here.

I love this song !

Which version do you prefer?

Toni Braxton & Trey Songz – Yesterday

Trey Songz – I Invented Sex

Keri Hilson – Knock You Down/Slow Dance/Turnin Me On Medley

Ryan Leslie, Mario & Sean Garrett – You’re Not My Girl/Break Up

Robin Thicke – Sex Therapy

Here’s the music video for Toni Braxton and Trey Songz hot track Yesterday

The video is equally hot, it was directed by Billie Woodruff.

Toni looks really good, but for some reason, it was a lil wierd between her and Trey, perhaps
because there were little scenes of them together.

Or maybe that’s the feel we are supposed to get..

Enjoy it !

Damn.. this is such a hot emo song from Toni Braxton! Well… at least to me. This song was released last week to radio stations and for downloads on itunes. This track is produced by DJ Frank E and is the lead single from her upcoming album, Pulse. Which will be released February next year.

I’m really loving this. But i don’t know why but it reminds me so much of Leona Lewis. It sounds like something she would sing PLUS Toni sounds a lil bit like Leona on this.

The lyrics are so powerful. I can so picture myself being in Toni’s shoes and singing my heart out and being a silly idoit.

I’m done with this
Feeling like an idiot
Lovin you, I’m over it
I just don’t love you, don’t love you no more

You, you are so yesterday
Never thought you’d loose my love this way
Now you’ve come back begging me to stay

I highly recommend this track

Toni Braxton – Yesterday

Do you like it?