K Michelle “Rebellious Soul” (Review)
By @Reseerese on Feb 19, 2014 12:55 pm
Love
and Hip Hop Star, K Michelle has been on the radar for a while and
released her long awaited debut album in July 2013. With lead tracks
“V.S.O.P.” and recently released single “Can’t Raise A Man,” her debut
effort has received plenty of accolades including a Soul Train Music
Award. Personal, raw and emotional, Rebellious Soul is a reflection of
the life we see K Michelle portray on reality television.
On
the first track K Michelle introduces us to her life, full of pain and
struggle. The soft piano melody blends seamlessly with the edginess of
beat and the grittiness of K Michelle’s voice. As she reflects on the
difficult details of her life, she makes it painstakingly clear that
this is how she became the woman she is today.
We
are also introduced to K Michelle’s piano talent, which can be heard
throughout the entire album. Meek Mill’s verse seems to add an
unnecessary roughness as the lyrical content and the gruffness in K
Michelle’s voice have already made the point of the song.
All my life I’ve been struggling and stressing that’s why I come up in this bitch with aggression
Damn
This
old school inspired track starts with a soulful piano melody and K
Michelle’s voice is powerful and full of emotion as she sings about
being afraid to jump into a new relationship due to past hurts.
Damn, I’m feeling some kind of way. Oh damn, wanna love you but can it wait
I Don’t Like Me
K
Michelle’s vocals, the piano and the message are all that’s needed for
this track. One of the more honest, raw and emotional tracks on the
album, K Michelle delivers a powerful message that most women can relate
to when using sex to connect with a man on an emotional level and
dealing with the consequences when the affection is not returned.
Cause if I let him do it, I did it to myself. And I was so dumb, I admit it, I need some help
Can’t Raise A Man
The
recently released second single receiving lots of buzz over the videos
content, but the lyrics speak a powerful message that women need to
hear. Again, K Michelle delivers a power and emotionally charged
performance and you can hear her experience as she belts out a warning
to women about trying to change men.
V.S.O.P.
The
album’s lead single contains samples “Very Special” by Debra Laws as
wells as “That’s How Long” by The Chi-Lites K Michelle gives some of
her best vocals on this track. One of the songs with a lighter subject
matter, this track is full of feel good vibes as K Michelle prepares a
celebration for her man. Play this song when reuniting with your boo
after a period of time.
Pay My Bills
This
sexually charged song features a sultry beat while K Michelle details
what’s on the menu tonight for her man in an attempt to get her bills
paid. This track somewhat disturbs the flow of the album. Yes, it shows
the sexual side of K Michelle, but this song contradicts lessons learned
in “I Don’t Like Me,” and “Can’t Change A Man.” F*cking someone like
you’re trying to pay bills isn’t going to keep K Michelle in the bad
relationship cycle.
I’mma f*ck you like I’m tryna pay bills. Georgia Power, Cable bill, Baby sitter, Tonight you will
Sometimes
By
this time I have lost interest in the piano driven ballads. The songs
are starting to run together with the same theme. K Michelle’s vocals
are on point and it’s apparent this was one of the songs inspired from
her own life.
Ride Out
Sticking
to the “my man did me wrong” theme, this song deviates from the ballad
format and is a bit more uptempo. K Michelle is fed up with her man and
has finally decided to “ride out.” Although the beat is aggressive, K
Michelle’s voice glides smoothly over each note.
So don’t be mad when I get in my sh*t and ride out
Hate On Her
Nothing
new to report here, another piano ballad about a man doing K Michelle
wrong. This track is reminiscent of “No Happy Holidays” by Mary J. Blige
but from the main woman’s point of view.
When I Get A Man
Yet
another ballad with a piano melody. Although this track doesn’t
directly address the central theme in the album, K Michelle sings about
taking care of her man when she finds a good one. She details all the
things that her lucky man is going to get once she finds him. Once
again, K Michelle’s vocals are up to par but the repetitiveness is
getting old.
A Mother’s Prayer
Dedicated
to her son Chase, K Michelle sings a beautiful prayer full of
encouragement and support. K Michelle softens her voice without
sacrificing the soul.
Better Than Nothing
One
of three bonus tracks, this track declares that “a little of something
is better than nothing.” The exotic beat meshes well with the sultry
soulness of K Michelle’s voice. Throughout the entire album, K Michelle
has lamented about how she’s fed up of being mistreated, yet she wants
to stick around for the bare minimum. This track contradicts the content
of the previous tracks.
The Right One
The
second of three bonus tracks, K Michelle threatens to let loose her
inner “ratchetness” on a man who has been doing her wrong. K Michelle’s
voice is calm and controlled like a woman scorned and ready to strike
down this man. The piano melody is present and K Michelle’s vocals are
up to par.
Same Man
In
the third and final bonus track, K Michelle finally admits her vicious
cycle of loving the same man rather than singing the same song with
different lyrics. This is a fitting ending to the album and hopefully K
Michelle has gotten the “same man” out of her system and brings fresh
material for her next album.
Rebellious
Soul could be the soundtrack for a tumultuous relationship, where one
day she wants to f*ck her man’s brains out and the next morning she
doesn’t like herself for it. The musical themes and lyrics are somewhat
repetitive and contradictory when it comes to men and relationships, but
that’s what makes the album successful. Women relate to her life and K
Michelle delivers a raw and emotional piece of work, putting her
experiences on full display in each song. Her piano talent is sprinkled
throughout almost every song on the album adding a softer element to the
harsher subject matter. K Michelle’s soulful voice mixes beautifully
with the deeper more emotional ballads and gets tough yet remains
feminine for more of the hip-hop inspired tracks. K Michelle vocal
talent can not be denied and although the album is personal and a
reflection of K Michelle’s life, it seems like she is in a dangerous
cycle when comes to men and relationships. A cycle that listeners can
get tired of hearing after the first three tracks. Hopefully K Michelle
gets some new life experience and brings variety on her next album.
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