Voodoo – Review

“Somebody’s voodoo’s got me binded to you.”

I’m just a few days away from getting my physical copy of Voodoo, the debut album by Canadian singer/actress Alexz Johnson. Yet, I can’t wait any longer, and I have already downloaded the digital version that her Deluxe Edition Package offers, so now I’ve listened to the eleven songs of the album, and I’m ready to drop the album’s review. As you may have notice in previous reviews, I do like to talk about each song in the albums, and I’ll do the same this time. So, let’s begin!

Voodoo is not the kind of album you would expect to hear in the radio. It is something different. Its lyrics are fresh, catchy but at the same time, relaxing and luxurious. It has an elegance I haven’t heard in any other album recently and as a bonus, it is not repetitive. Johnson’s voice is beautiful, and her attitude is part of the music and the sounds. You feel her emotions through every song, making you want to hear out loud along with her. She does not try to amaze us with powerful vocals or amazing rythms, she’s just trying to show us who she is. And yeah, she has proved it so far.

The album begins with the song of the same name: Voodoo. As Johnson said during an interview, this song sums up the sounds of meanings of the album. Listening to it is a relaxing experience, and you can almost feel the magic of Alexz’s spell falling over you. It is a love song and it kind of explains by itself. Our second track is the up-beat hook of Gonna’ Get It: a funny song, filled with catchy claps and a wonderful background chorus. It shows us that Alexz is not only maturing as a singer but also as a rythm-maker. It has some weird arrangements (like the scream at the beginning) but at the end you fall in love with the tune.

The third track drives us into another direction: the melancholic one. Look At Those Eyes is not a ballad, it is something stronger than that. It is full of reflections and loneliness, and her Western-film sound emphasizes this idea. According to Alexz, this song was a tough one to create, and now that I’ve heard it, I can see why. You notice it has a complicated atmosphere that you don’t really understand at the beginning but suddenly the feelings develop and the emotions appear. L.A. Made Me returns to the catchy sound of the second track, but mixing the emotional part of the previous song. It is a tune that talks about boundaries and limits. The vocals are gorgeous and fit in the song a jewel. Unfortunately, its final sound is a bit disappointing. A Little Bit, the fifth song, continues with the poppy sound but in a more simple way. It has really, really simple lyrics but rhymed and combined with originality and fun. The chorus is so catchy that you memorize it after hearing it once and we can say that it closes the first half of the album as it should be.

The sixth track, Mr. Jones, introduces a different sound. It reminds us of the 30′s, with the spies and the mafia, and its mood is kinda mysterious; catchy and clever, it is one of the best tracks in the album. Superstition is the album’s second slow song, and offers us illusions and emotions. It is probably the less rythmic track and along with track number three, the most difficult song to decode. The song has a bit of influence from R&B mixed with the general sound of the album. The next track is the album’s first single: Trip Around The World. It is an up-beat track that critizices the way money has changed the world, saying that no matter where you go, money will always be present. Its lyrics are clever, sarcastic and clear; it not only works as the first single, but also represents the cool side of the album (which is great), and invites the listeners to hear the rest. The video and its lyrics have already been posted here.

And suddenly, we find ourselves in the final part of the album. Hurricane Girl provides us with a bit of a rock sound while it explains us the stillness and the emotional conferences of a young woman who is trying to find her place in an ever-changing world. Taker, the eleventh track, shows us another Alexz. It works as a justification and its initial guitars are gorgeous, as well as the final part of the song, where she repeats I’ll never let you know. The way it is suns, reminds me a bit of Running With The Devil and works fantastically. Finally, we encounter with Boogie Love; another song that immediately taks you back to the 30′s, 40′s, and 60′s. It is obvious that Alexz tries to have fun while singing and we can notice it when listening to this track. It is fresh, with clever and genious references as well as a catchy hook and enjoyable choruses.

Why should you buy Alexz’s album? Simply, because it is full of quality. By listening to all her songs, you realize you’re not listening to a pop princess wannabe or a fake image. Her music is sincere and invites you to dig deeper and deeper in her music. Today is March 30th, and finally Voodoo hits the Canadian stores, after long years of work. Remember Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, or Vannesa Ann Hudgens? Listen to their music and then to Alexz’s. You’ll be amazed, and you will realize that this girl has something. Personally, I consider Voodoo as one of the best albums from 2010, although we’re still in March. And I know that there will not be an album like Alexz’s.

So, now I’ll just wait for the physical edition to arrive. In the meantime, I’m posting here Gonna’ Get It, which has also become the “Song of the Week” and the lyrics, which I know you’ll enjoy. Feel free to comment as always readers!

GONNA’ GET IT

Maybe it’ll never come around, maybe,
let you push me to the ground, I’ll go,
’cause if I don’t it’s taking me down…

And I deal ’cause none of it is real, I deal,
’cause I’m covering to heal, I’ll go,
no need to reap the seeds that I sow…

Uh, you’re gonna’ get it,
gonna’ get it, gonna’ get it,
you’re gonna’ get it, gonna’ get me good,
uh, you’re gonna’ get it,
gonna’ get it, gonna’ get it,
you’re gonna’ get it, gonna’ get me good…

Oh no, won’t let it go,
give it up won’t take my soul…
(Gonna’ get it,
gonna’ change me good,
uh, you’re gonna’ get it…)
Oh no, won’t let it go,
give it up won’t take my soul…
(You’re gonna’ get me good…)

So why me, why they coming after me? All this,
it’s a conspiracy you see, can’t hide,
the more I stay awake, the more you try…

It’s not right, it’s no way to live a life, no light,
I’m running out of fight, can’t hide,
the dreams are coming after me tonight…

Uh, you’re gonna’ get it,
gonna’ get it, gonna’ get it,
you’re gonna’ get it, gonna’ get me good,
uh, you’re gonna’ get it,
gonna’ get it, gonna’ get it,
you’re gonna’ get it, gonna’ get me good…

Oh no, won’t let it go,
give it up won’t take my soul…
(Gonna’ get it,
gonna’ change me good,
uh, you’re gonna’ get it…)
Oh no, won’t let it go,
give it up won’t take my soul…
(You’re gonna’ get me good…)

And I’m not falling,
not falling for it,
I will not just let this take me in…
So go away, go away,
you will never win,
I will never let myself fall in,
never let myself fall in… yeah…

Oh no, won’t let it go,
give it up won’t take my soul…
Uh, you’re gonna’ get it,
gonna’ get it, gonna’ get it,
you’re gonna’ get it, gonna’ get me good…
Oh no, won’t let it go,
give it up won’t take my soul…
Uh, you’re gonna’ get it,
gonna’ get it, gonna’ get it,
you’re gonna’ get it, gonna’ get me good…

And I’m not falling,
not falling for it,
I will not just let this take me in…
(Oh no, won’t let it go…)
So go away, go away,
(Give it up won’t take my soul…)
you will never win,
I will never let myself fall in…
(You’re gonna’ get it, gonna’ get me good…)
I will never let myself fall in…
I will never let myself fall in…

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