After years of waiting, fans of Gwen Stefani have been rewarded with her third solo album, the very personal and the very brilliant, "This Is What the Feels Like".
Since the 90s when Gwen led No Doubt to international success, she has been a fascinating artist who has been able to cross effortlessly between genres. Starting in ska-punk, she has also handled rock, dancehall, reggae, hip-hop and pop with conviction and brilliance. While she is combining many of these genres on the new album, it feels like she has landed squarely in pop.
The thing to notice is her great evolution. When she rocked out so hard to "Just a Girl", she was a young woman with big dreams and few problems, now as she belts out, "Used To Love You", you can see she has lived a life and is re-entering with scars. She is older, wiser and more experienced, the album as a result feels accomplished, polished and extremely personal.
Gwen scrapped plans for an earlier album after releasing the singles, "Baby Don't Lie" and "Spark the Fire". It's a shame these songs aren't featured on the album, as I love, "Baby Don't Lie", and still listen to it regularly. Instead first single on the album is the aforementioned, "Used To Love You", and I love this song, it may just be my favourite Gwen solo song, happily featuring in my top songs of 2015 list. This beautiful ballad is heartbreakingly good, with lyrics that really dig deep, "You go, I'll stay, you can keep all the memories". The song works so well cause we all know the feeling and she has voiced so beautifully what we've all felt.
Second single, "Make Me Like You", is so damn infectious, a high energy pop song that is all feel good. This anthemic song again feels personal and is deeply refreshing. The chorus is great for a sing along and the beat is great, this is a great single and deserves success.
As for the rest of the album, there's so much to love. "You're My Favourite" may just be my favourite album track. It's a great emotive tune that shows the passion mixed in with beautiful sparse moments. "Where Would I Be?" feels like classic Gwen with a good beat; and "Misery" is just so bloody catchy. "Truth" is an absolute highlight, a great mid tempo ballad with some great lyrics, "They're all gonna say I'm rebounding, so rebound over me". "Red Flag" and "Naughty" are also some great fun, and "Me Without You" keeps the passion turned up high.
This album is the perfect combo of pop and pain, with a touch of redemption thrown in for good measure. Gwen Stefani is still an incredible artist releasing music that brings sheer joy. This album is already on high rotation for me and will continue to be so for many months.
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