Commanding Her Light, Brushing Off The Haters
Kelly Rowland
By Melanie Yvette Martin (New Clizbeats.com Writer)
A tad bit curvier, a lot more confident and absolutely in control, Kelly Rowland announces her title as “Commander in Chief” with her third solo album and hit single “Commander”.
But don’t call this a comeback. Don’t even call it a new and improved Kelly. There was nothing wrong with her from the beginning. Let us remember, she is only one-third of what many consider to only be the most successful female groups of all time.
Ms. Kelly has seemingly just come into her own. Her new sound of heavy dance, upbeat techno, vegas-esque style, can be considered out of the ordinary if you must reminisce upon her previous solo projects. But the truth is, it actually works for her. Her voice fits the tone and she seems to actually be enjoying the music she is making.
“From here on out, I’ll be your commander” is what she salutes in a tight, patent leather body suit, leaving not much to the imagination when she, well, turns around. Where she got that booty, nobody knows. Where she got the audacity to take back control of her career after a much needed divorce between her and former manager, Matthew Knowles-we’ll just have to find out.
The journey can be taken with her when her third solo album debuts this later this year. And the trip is actually worthwhile as she proclaims her stance as a “Grown Woman”, writen by Ne-Yo and acknowledges the truth about blind love in the “Rose Colored Glasses”, produced by Dr. Luke, most famous for his work on Katy Perry’s “I kissed a girl” and Miley Cyrus “Party in the USA”.
My only concern is will everyone “get it”? As we allowed Michelle to tap into her Gospel voice, Beyonce to smoothly end her relationship with blasé R&B, and even decided with Solange that she was, in fact, amazing, we never really got the chance to give Kelly a shot. While her solo debut “Simply Deep” sold over 2 million copies worldwide, something happened along the yellow bricked road of her career, as her follow up album, Ms. Kelly, kept getting shelved and eventually needed a re-release in 2008, after its 2007 debut.
However, despite a roller coaster ridden in the shadow of Beyonces’ solo success and an obvious struggle to make her mark in the industry alone, Rowland seems to have landed firmly in her skin and in her voice. Her sound does more than take you into a new direction, but into a new world.
Her latest ensemble, set to release later this year, and her first single “Commander”, forces her to step out of her comfort zone, add attitude and demand her best, and only best, to be shown. She gave us a sneak peak of her new sound with her number one hit, “When Love takes over”, a proven successful collaboration with famous French DJ, David Guetta.
Does she have a bit of work to do? Of course, but who doesn’t? I mean at least she can really sing. Half the artist nowadays couldn’t hold a note if their life depended on it. Her dancing is still a bit outdated and she sort of seems to be waddling in and out of finding her “look”. Although as she has seemed to change her image what feels like every five minutes, in reality, her new style of music is forward, futuristic and full of life…
Enough said. Buy the album. Or at least indulge in the club, and let the martini loosen you up a bit as you sweat your perm out while screaming at the top of your lungs “when love takes over, yeah!”. As a broke recent college grad, I prefer the latter, but you won’t go wrong dropping a few bucks for the full Vegas-esque experience.
I get it, Kelly. Always have and always will.
Kelly Rowland Featuring David Guetta
“Commander”
From Kelly Rowland
Universal Motown Records Group
Kelly Rowland
“Rose Colored Glasses”
From Kelly Rowland
Universal Motown Records Group
Kelly Rowland
“Grown Woman”
From Kelly Rowland
Universal Motown Records Group
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