Fifth Harmony only bring confusing themes in 7/27 [Review]

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Veronica Lin |
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Fifth Harmony’s new album 7/27 may show much more variety and maturity than the group’s debut, Reflection, yet somehow the girls’ unique sassiness and sophisticated vocal techniques have been lost amid the dance pop. That said, with feminist themes and catchy tunes, the record almost guarantees the quintet a place atop the Billboard charts.

On All In My Head (Flex), Camila Cabello’s raspy tone and Fetty Wap’s fancy vocals are without a doubt one of the highlights of this album. Meanwhile, Gonna Get Better reflects the girls’ diverse cultural backgrounds, as the song starts off soft, but gradually builds to a Latino rhythm.

The album is named after the date the group was formed by Simon Cowell. But it seems they have lost the energy of their X Factor days, and have become mediocre – their singing now sounds quite flat.

The album is a desperate effort to cash in on Beyonce’s feminist appeal, but the lyrics confuse the message.

Instead of telling girls to focus on their education or a career of their own, the single Work From Home, featuring Ty Dolla $ign, suggests girls would be better off as stay-at-home wives, “Cause baby/you’re the boss at home/You don’t gotta go to work/work/work”. Problematic.

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