From the first notes of the intro on Kelis’ new album Flesh Tone, it is evident that this album is unlike any other that Kelis has released. Gone are the Neptunes, the hip-hop, the rapping. The tone is set that this effort will be more electronic and the vocals seem a little more raw and flawed. In the place of all that are tracks produced by David Guetta, DJ Ammo, Jean Baptiste, DJ Tocadisco and Diplo to name a few.
As the intro ends, Kelis lets us in on the secret that, “We Control the Dancefloor.” The next track, 22nd Century, is absolute techno dance. I didn’t listen to the version of this that leaked a while ago, but I’m digging it a lot. It’s quirky and breezy and catchy as hell. It’s less vocally abrasive than her lead single Acapella, which can be a bit shrill at times. The great part about this album too is that it’s one seamless mix. They all flow right into one another.
Next is another track that leaked earlier in the year called 4th of July which extensively features some piano-synth sampling and reminds me a bit of a Moby track that sampled an old song from the 40s or something (ironically, Kelis was on a remix of Moby’s song Honey - I totally just remembered that!). I love the deep husky vocals on this.
Home comes on and it feels the most rave-like, but also the most radio-friendly. It’s grunge-y and poppy and piano-y. Yes, I wanted all those words to end in “ee” sounds. This may be my favorite thus far. But we continue on the journey with some big bells tolling in the first single from Flesh Tone, Acapella.
The track fades out completely and the rumbling piano comes again and we get to Scream. The song reminds me a bit of Madonna’s Impressive Instant in the talking line delivery. But I like that. It’s fun, or at least unique. What I’ve noticed so far throughout this album is that it’s not been thumping, 808 4/4 beats the entire time. It paces itself nicely. This is becoming one of my favorite tracks, if not my favorite. My only complaint -- that the beat drops out too much in the track. Hopefully some remixes will surface? Fingers crossed.
Kelis is loving the piano on this album. It almost is the segue way between tracks, but never stays very long. Oh shit. Emancipate is sick. It’s total rave track. Sick beat, sick synth with vocals matching it. And it’s a great track to play at the club because people will love the message of emancipating yourself on the floor. Dance with the pole. Dance on the box. Dance up on strangers. I’ve done all three. Where was this track? I also love how all the albums have little endings to them that are totally different from the main track that lead into the next tracks.
Brave follows up and offers up some vocal filtering for what feels like the first time on the album. This song is a bit more progressive. Reminds me of something but I can’t put my finger on it -- Like Kylie X and Britney Blackout and Xenomania.
The album closes with Song for the Baby which is total pop dance and fun. A good tone to end the album on. Feels summery and light and the track you play when you drive with the windows down and the sunroof open. And there are horns. Fuck yes! This is in my top 3 tracks. It’s just uplifting and positive and great.
Overall, this album is pretty damn great. As XO pointed out on his Twitter, it does have a Madonna Music vibe to it. But it works. And I come into Flesh Tone skeptical as hell, but Kelis turned it out. She wasn’t trite, wasn’t overdone, didn’t go crazy overboard and stayed true to herself. I give this album 3 out of 4 stars. Hells yes it’s fresh!
Two songs, Alive and Carefree American were referenced in a Billboard article in January of this year but don’t appear to be on the standard edition of the album so perhaps there will be bonus tracks for the different country releases.
Kelis Flesh Tone is released on will.i.am’s label on July 6, but hits stores in the UK on May 17th.
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