By AARON KREIN
Features Editor
Last week, pop songstress Gwen Stefani released her hotly anticipated third solo album, “This Is What the Truth Feels Like,” which debuted this week at number one on the Billboard 200. This is her first number one album as a solo artist after her former albums, 2004’s “Love. Angel. Music. Baby.” and 2006’s “The Sweet Escape,” peaked at number five and three respectively. Stefani previously hit number one as the lead singer of the ska group, No Doubt, with 1995’s “Tragic Kingdom.”
After releasing 2012’s “Push and Shove” with the group, Stefani returned to making solo music with the releases of “Baby Don’t Lie” and “Spark the Fire” in late 2014. After receiving mixed reviews, the planned album was put on hold and Stefani began coaching on NBC’s “The Voice” as Christina Aguilera’s temporary replacement.
Stefani has always stood out for her outside the box approach to pop music with her iconic music videos, fashion choices, and memorable songs with catchy hooks. It is one of the reasons she has been able to maintain a steady career spanning nearly three decades. However, on this album, Stefani scales back the creativity for a neutral pop album more focused on the lyrical content than the production. Eight out of the twelve tracks involve the same snapping beat while the lyrics on each tune, for the most part, have an identity of their own.
While undergoing a public divorce to her husband of fourteen years, Bush lead singer Gavin Rossdale, Stefani made it clear the upcoming effort would focus on the breakup. However, after it was announced last November that she was dating “The Voice” coach Blake Shelton, Stefani revealed to “CBS This Morning” that she was also inspired to write about falling in love again. Working with a plethora of songwriters and producers like Greg Kurstin and Stargate on the project, all twelve tracks receive top songwriting credits from Stefani and Semi-Precious Weapons front man, Justin Tranter.
The album opens with the promotional single, “Misery,” where Stefani pleads for her lover to come back and compares her need for him to drugs. The song can lyrically be compared to Lady Antebellum’s 2009 hit, “Need You Now” for its central plot on post-breakup depression. It’s an example of a pop tune that’s upbeat and catchy but you can still sense the emotion behind it. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was later released as a proper single.
On “You’re My Favorite,” Stefani lists all the things she’s done in her life from buying things to smoking but crowns her lover as her most precious. The catchy hook and synthpop production is what stands outs from the tune and I could easily hear this being played on Top 40 radio.
The Caribbean feel of “Where Would I Be?” is similar to the sound of Olly Murs’ 2011 single, “Heart Skips a Beat.” The song questions where Stefani would be in her life without the love she has now. This transitions into the current single, “Make Me Like You,” the most vibrant and electric song on the album. The single was released last February with a live-televised music video sponsored by Target that was shown during the commercial break of the Grammy Awards. Stefani explains on the track her new infatuation for someone and her frustration over experiencing this feeling after so long. After listening to the full album, it is still my favorite track on the set.
The title track, “Truth,” centers on the feeling of being with someone and knowing that this is the person you were meant to be with. The track also subliminally takes aim at the press for labeling Stefani as a “rebounder” after reports surfaced that she was dating Shelton. It’s a song built for adult contemporary radio and definitely one of the album’s highlights.
The first single, “Used to Love You,” recounts the connection between Stefani and her ex before the relationship turned sour. It’s one her most vulnerable tracks to date along with prior released singles, “Cool” and “4 in the Morning.” Despite receiving a Sinead O’Connor “Nothing Compares 2 U”-like video and being 12 spots shy of hitting the Top 40, it’s a single that is still growing on me.
“Send Me a Picture” deals with the idea of long distance and how Stefani pleads her lover to send photos of what he is doing constantly. The song seems like it’s subliminally talking about “sexting” without saying it directly. Lacking lyrically, the main take away from this track is Stefani’s vocals, which save it from being an instant skip.
The upbeat in-your face track, “Red Flag,” is definitely the closest you’ll get to the attitude of her classic number one hit, “Hollaback Girl.” The song calls out her ex for cheating and how she should’ve saw this coming. Stefani delivers the lyrics with a rap-like feel similar to her past solo work and would be the song to check out if you’re missing that era of Stefani.
The only collaboration on the album comes with last year’s breakthrough rapper, Fetty Wap, on the track, “Asking 4 It.” Stefani warns her new lover about all the baggage she has with her life and if he’s sure he wants to commit to her. The snapped-filled beat on the track is similar to what Fetty Wap has released in the past, which makes his guest verse seem more like a sample. The only flaw is the chorus, which relies too heavily on repetition and becomes redundant after a minute into the song.
The snaps continue on the aggressive tune, “Naughty,” which is another track against her ex for cheating. Compared to “Red Flag,” this song suffers from being overdramatic and immature. The way Stefani sings on the song is grading to the ear at times and the excellent beat and production is not enough to save this track from an immediate skip. It’s definitely my least favorite from the album.
The mid-tempo track, “Me Without You,” explores the feeling of freedom after the end of a relationship. The song expresses leaving your ex in the past and looking forward to the future. It’s the most positive track of the breakup songs on the album and another highlight from the album.
The guitar-driven “Rare” closes the album by lamenting that her new love is something perfect and that she would never let it go. The euphoric feel of the track is reminiscent of “The Sweet Escape” era but also similar to the style of Selena Gomez’s recent effort, “Revival.” Being that this is an album that opens with breakup and closes with a new relationship, this song was a perfect way to conclude the album.
“This Is What the Truth Feels Like” is a solid effort from Stefani after a nine-year solo hiatus. Stefani’s vocal delivery and production on the album outweighs the repetitious lyrical content and constant snaps. The track listing was also curious considering the breakup and new relationship tracks were mixed instead of presented chronologically.
Many critics cited the album lacked from the breakup perspective and could have been much more than what it was. However, being that I don’t expect Stefani to release an album like Adele’s “21” or P!nk’s “Funhouse,” that factor did not occur to me while listening to the project. It’s the kind of album that works for a casual listen during a long drive or to use as background music. The strengths and weaknesses of the album balance each other out and make Stefani’s latest project a passable listen.
