FIFTH HARMONY

“Fifth Harmony”

(Album Review)

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Who’s ready for one of pop cultures most anticipated albums?

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Fifth Harmony absolutely slayed 2016 with the release of their 6x platinum mega hit single Work From Home with Ty Dolla Sign along with their second studio album 7/27. Also releasing worldwide hits All in My Head (Flex) with Fetty Wap and That’s My Girl, the girl group was a force to be reckoned with as their fierce persona’s led them to MTV VMA awards and record breaking singles.

However, as the girl group was at the height of their success, member Camila Cabello made a shock exit at the end of 2016 bringing the band to continuous social media and public scrutiny. Fast forward to the new year of 2017, the girls remained stronger than ever as they decided to keep their band name and continue the Fifth Harmony journey. June saw their first single without Camila called Down with rapper Gucci Mane, proving to the world that they still have that initial spark they have always carried.

As I watched Simon Cowell and Demi Lovato put Fifth Harmony together on The X Factor U.S. in 2012, I feel like I’ve been apart of their growth and journey over the years that have made me a complete fan girl. Although Camila was my always favourite and I believe that she has always held most of the group, I’ve been in hysterics over the release of their third self-titled studio album Fifth Harmony as I’m so excited and intrigued to hear their new sound as a foursome. So without further a do, let’s get into this review.

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Their first track Down featuring Gucci Mane is their lead single for the new album and has been blasted over radios the last few months. When I first listened to this track upon its release, I immediately thought it was a Work From Home 2.0. The repetitive chorus of the tracks title immensely draws similarities with their former songs and is a smart strategic move as it automatically got stuck in my head. It’s a fun, flirty pop track that has big potential to be a big hit and a solid comeback for the girls.

The second track He Like That, which will also serve as the albums second single, is a little dirty and quite sexual from the groups past tracks. The girls sing about a guy that’s rough and edgy that they’re all captivated by and emphasise the fact that they’ve got what he wants to please him. The bass guitar in the instrumental gives the track a head swaying vibe and the slow build up to the chorus gives listeners a visual of the kind of guy the girls are describing. It’s such an easy listening type of track and definitely leaves you wanting to give it another repeat.

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The third track Sauced Up is the perfect song for a night out. The instrumental reminds me of Chris Brown and Tyga’s track AYO as the clubby, r&b dance feel of the melody sounds extremely similar. The lyrics basically describe a night out as the girls sing about drinking and becoming so confident that their actions with their love interests can be explained tomorrow. The verses give me complete nostalgia as the low, sensual tone of the girls voices remind me of the good old early 2000’s r&b songs. If you’re looking for a fresh song to vibe on a night out, Sauced Up will make you feel ready to hit the club.

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“I be in my feelings when I’m sauced up, I be in my bag feelin’ bossed up”

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The themes throughout the songs so far are all quite parallel. In the fourth track Make You Mad, the girls sing about a self-assured power within them that will make their lovers miss them and go crazy without them. It’s pleasurable electronic dance instrumental is perfect for cruising in your car and bopping your head to the music. The fifth track Deliver is the most r&b song I’ve heard the girls create. The track provides amazing harmonies and soul and has a super Destiny’s Child feel. The girls sing about the fact that they know their men are aware that they can deliver when it comes to getting down. The whole production of the song is very bouncy as the melodies are super energetic. It’s the kind of track you can belt out and feel exceptionally confident in doing so.

The sixth track Lonely Night will take you on a crazy ride. The melodies of the song push you into different zones as certain sections of the track sound completely unalike. The vocals by the girls in this track are also probably one of their best, as the group dynamics work remarkably. This song touches on the theme of honestly as the girls assert their lovers that they can see through all their lies and that if they aren’t treated right, it’s going to be a lonely night for them. This is the kind of track you can easily become obsessed with by its distinct structure and musicality.

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Don’t Say You Love Me serves as the seventh track and it’s my absolute favourite. The song hits you right in the feels and I didn’t know whether to dance or cry to it. It’s the kind of song you would expect to see in a reflective movie montage scene. In this track the girls sing about a rocky relationship where you can tell something isn’t quite right. They also believe that commitment shouldn’t be made without certainty as it isn’t fair on either parties. The instrumental perfectly supports the girl’s tones and ranges in the track and once again we witness one of their best vocals. This is the track I needed to feel slayed by this album and they’ve done it.

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“Don’t promise me tonight without tomorrow too”

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The eighth track Angel was released prior to the albums release as a promotional single, along with a music video. It’s a badass dark track that reassures your lover that you’re not just somebody who’s sweet and that you can step up to the plate and be fierce. After watching the music video, I felt a 90’s kind of vibe from the tracks instrumental and structure. The ninth track Messy has a throwback kind of feel as it reminds me of Stickwitu by The Pussycat Dolls. We see the girls be vulnerable once again, which is a first as they only usually have one song on their album that is of this nature. The girls sing about how they’re not perfect which blends extremely well with the soft instrumental of the track.

The last track Bridges was such a surprise as it’s the first political song the group has sang about. It’s such a beautiful uniting message as the girls sing, “we build bridges, not walls” in relation to issues in today’s world. It’s an emotional ride that demonstrates how love can conquer all and defeat hate. Through a simple melody, we see the girl’s passion in the song as their strong vocals shoot out the message they’re trying to convey. It’s such a refreshing way to end the album, as it’s the perfect conclusion that shows how the group is extremely versatile in the themes and messages they choose to portray throughout each track.

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“I know the world can be cold, we can’t let it divide us”

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What a rollercoaster. The album begins very poppy and sexual, which is the Fifth Harmony we know and love. However, we see a slight turn into more of an r&b feel, alongside some more slowed down vulnerable tracks that showcase their talent and ability to tackle any kind or genre or message. Although I was quite nervous to see how the girls would produce an album without Camila, they’ve proven that their bond is stronger than ever as it is greatly precipitated throughout the albums tracks. My hit prediction for the album would be Sauced Up as it’s a fun party song that anyone could get into, but I absolutely love Don’t Say You Love Me’s vulnerability and Bridges’ message. All in all, a solid third album for the girls that I see myself repeating over and over again.

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Need a refreshing album that will take you to different places? Fifth Harmony has got you covered.

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