The album’s long list of writers and producers – including Bruno Mars, Kara DioGuardi, Jason Derulo, Nick Jonas and Natasha Bedingfield – is evidence of Charice’s success.
The collaborations largely pay off: highlights include Before It Explodes, written by Mars, and Lighthouse, by Bedingfield. These older artists give Charice a much-needed mature edge. Although she proves more than able to negotiate from pop to R&B and power ballads, she leaves us wanting a more distinct flavour.
Louder is an energetic dance tune in the style of Charice’s first self-titled international album. But its upbeat story of self-empowerment, one of many on the album, is such an overdone theme by younger artists that Charice could set herself apart by exploring a different subject.
Charice has the potential to go beyond teen pop; she just needs to make that step.
YP Rating: 3/5