Review Summary: "In Case Nobody Told You Today, You're Special"
I’ve been thinking the last couple days about how I’m going to promote the positive aspects of this record because it’s just so outside of my normal listening wheelhouse. It absolutely carries its heart, soul and eccentricities on its sleeve and it completely unabashedly honest and real which I admire very thoroughly. Whilst this isn’t breaking new ground in the realm of popular music is certainly accomplishes its goals to promote body positivity, produce bouncy club-ready hits and showcase the versatility of Lizzo’s impressive vocal range.
I can’t think of a more ‘Lizzo’ way to open an album lyrically than with “Hi, mother***er, did you miss me?/I’ve been home since 2020/I’ve been twerkin’ and makin’ smoothies.” A commonality amongst most of the tracks on this record is how on-the-nose the lyricism is and how unafraid Lizzo is to embrace some of the more ‘cringey’ topics and lines with vigor. In the end, the sincerity sells this rather well and, for me personally, helps to smooth out some of the irregularities and moments I wouldn’t enjoy if other artists attempted them. “The Sign” certainly sets up the rest of the record with heavy grooves and lyrically establishes Lizzo’s enthusiastic return to writing music and reuniting with her fans.
The massive single “About Damn Time” follows up the opening track with some infectiously funky, disco grooves and melodies. The initially controversially “Grrrls” is an absolutely smashing club-banger with heavy bass hits, irresistible chorus and easily tik-tok-able lyrics. The next track “2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)” is most likely my favorite song on here with vocal melodies and synth patterns reminiscent of an 80’s pop hit. The vocal range Lizzo displays during the chorus is awesome and the key change in the back half of the song inspires me to get off my butt and start dancing like nobody’s watching! As I side note, I found many striking similarities between Lizzo’s vocal timbre with that of the legendary Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston, probably the highest compliment I can pay a modern vocalist.
“I Love You Bitch” is a simpler track but still naturally engaging with a synth-heavy, bubbly repetitive chorus and some lovely piano arpeggios to conclude the track. “Special” comments on the landscape of ‘cancel culture’ and loneliness with a positive twist regarding an individual’s ability to overcome struggles and mistakes and coming out on top as a better person. I personally found the lyricism very endearing concurrently complementing the simple instrumentals. “Break Up Twice” feels like a bit more like a filler track personally but still has some charming guitar leads, pulsating horn sections and versatile vocals.
“Everybody’s Gay” is an infectious dance song with a flamboyant 80’s drum beat and vocal harmonies that sound straight off of Michael Jackson’s “Off The Wall.” At this point, I’m recognizing how dynamic the instrumentals and vocals are throughout this record with influences ranging the 70’s all the way to modern times. “Naked” is a slower R&B ballad perfect that has vocal melodies evocative of lounge music with jazz-tinged drums, orchestral bombast and a powerful closing chorus.
“Birthday Girl” is fun as hell and that’s all I have to say about it. “If You Love Me” is another potent, honest track lyrically with some pleasant acoustic guitars that feel like 90’s alternative rock with an R&B nuance. The closing song “Coldplay” is a bit on the nose especially with the Coldplay sample being used during the song and while I don’t feel like it’s the best closing track for a record, it’s still relatively inoffensive and entertaining to listen to.
Overall, this record has an abundance of range and features some of Lizzo’s best vocal performances to date. While each song doesn’t reinvent the wheel, they do feel complete and well fleshed out to the point where this feels like an essential listen for fans of R&B and hip hop. It’s certainly a massive surprise for me to have this positive of an experience with a Lizzo record but here we are, and I couldn’t be happier.
Top Tracks:
“2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)”
“Special”
“About Damn Time”
“Everybody’s Gay”
“Naked”
