Overexposed
is the fourth studio album of Los Angeles based Funk Rock band Maroon 5. After the phenomenal
commercial success of single ‘Moves like
Jagger’, which peaked at number 2 in the UK Singles Chart and number 1 in
the US, expectations are high for the success to transfer to Overexposed.
The band describes the album as their poppiest
record to date since their debut a decade ago with ‘Harder to Breathe’. Adam Levine’s distinct vocals burst into play
on ‘One More Night’ that propels the
pop basis of the record into action. With strong Reggae Pop influences and Adam Levine’s taste of solo limelight as
a judge on NBC’s ‘The Voice’ has
sparked many a rumour of the band splitting, and this album may be a taster of
what we can expect in the future.
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| Artwork |
Released on the 17th of April,
as the lead single from Overexposed, ‘Payphone’,
featuring rapper Wiz Khalifa peaked
at number 1 in the UK charts and is an upbeat track of relationship loss. It
also brings Maroon 5’s Rock roots back into play. Its lyrics of
pain and regret; ‘If happy ever after did exist, I wish to be holding you like
this…’ are relatable yet commercial, and has been labelled the new ‘She Will Be Loved’. I don’t know about
that, but it is certainly emotion fuelled.
Ever wondered what a sentimental Black Eyed Peas song sounds like? ‘Daylight’ is the answer! It retains the
personal lyrics that band Rock fans
adore as well as the trendy back beats of great Pop songs. The bittersweet track was co-produced by Levine himself and depicts influences
from the likes of Coldplay’s frontman
and lead vocalist Chris Martin. ‘Lucky Strike’ reverts back to Maroon 5’s collective origins but also
illustrates the inputs of Pop producers
Max Martin and Benny Blanco with its upbeat, if a little fragmented and
repetitive.
The Man Who Never Lied is so rapid it comes across as rushed and
overly compressed, and Love Somebody is somewhat overproduced which takes away
from Adam Levine’s striking vocals. In tracks like this, it’s difficult to tell
if the rest of the band is involved at all, and what has been formed is hardly spectacular.
It is as if Maroon 5 enjoyed the commercial success of ‘Moves like Jagger’ so much that they’re doing anything they can to
recapture it throughout Overexposed.
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| Maroon 5 |
With its
Michael Jackson style, ‘Ladykiller’ also
boasts a guitar solo of sort. But there is nothing organic about this track in
the slightest. And ‘Fortune Teller’
is no better as it harnesses Maroon 5’s
flair with the likes of Britney Spears
of Rihanna, which, unsurprinsgly,
doesn’t merge well. Although ‘Sad’ brings Maroon
5 fans the lyrical talent they expect from the band, it still comes across
as a solo track, despite its sense of passion. Many Maroon 5 fans also adore the blend of Pop, Rock and Funk, as
well as sexual frustration, difficult relationships and break-ups that the band
do so well, which comes alive in ‘Tickets’
and somewhat in ‘Doin’ Dirt’.
The feeling and sensitivity injected into ‘Beautiful Goodbye’ brings a sense of
relief to the Pop rollercoaster that
most of Overexposed is made up of,
that is, before ‘Moves Like Jagger ’ featuring
Christina Aguilera appears as the
final track on the record. However, it is full of Funk and vigour, and ridiculously joyful.
Overall, the album is hit-seeking but doesn’t
quite nail the criteria of successful Pop
music, or the Rock/Funk field Maroon 5 are famous for.
3/5
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