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Charlie Puth’s New Album

New Album ‘Voicenotes’ Review (Including Some Background Information)

By Josh CrowtherPublished 6 years ago 5 min read
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If you wish for only the album review, skip a few paragraphs... Charlie Puth first rose to fame through his covers and original songs on YouTube. However, Puth really made it big back in 2015, when “See You Again” was released as his debut single which he co-wrote and co-produced with Artist Wiz Khalifa. Puth’s next step in his music career was the release of his debut studio album Nine Track Mind. I myself was not a fan of this album, as a lot of the records on this album were just cheesy piano ballads that were all fairly similar to the first track on the LP, “See You Again.” Despite this, Puth’s beautiful butterfly falsetto of a voice allows this album to at least be a pass when it comes to ratings.

But, it is no doubt that this Berklee School of Music graduate is beyond talented. As we see him explore and really show the listeners who he really is as an artist in his latest album Voicenotes, Puth finally presents his love for Jazz and 80s R&B in these records. As he stated in a Rolling Stone interview, “I try to implement as much jazz into pop as I can.” The beautiful jazz chord changes in records such as "Patient" really come to show what he meant by this.

The first record we have on the album is “The Way I Am.” This sneaky, unpredictable track is complete sonic beauty in my opinion. Tracks such as these show that Puth himself is a—yes, I’m going to say it—a revolutionary. This record is like no other song being played on the radio right now. This vulnerable record shows Puth displaying his new lifestyle, that he doesn't fit into this celebrity lifestyle and he is telling the world and the people around him that, “That’s just the way I am.” I have much respect for Puth after hearing this.

The second record we see on this album is "Attention." This was released as a lead single for Voicenotes before the album was released. This was the first song that Puth released that gained him a lot of respect among listeners and the industry. This "kid" had gone from releasing cheesy piano ballads, to releasing a new, bouncy, groovy Pop/R&B record that soared to the top of the charts within a week. (Puth has had previous songs high in the charts, but this is one that stood out for me as being a turning-point in his career). This Bass-heavy, feisty record hit No. 5 on the Billboard hot 100. This was a prime example of how quickly Puth had matured and found himself as an artist since his first album, Nine Track Mind.

The confidence within that record is then continued into the super-catchy follow up "How Long," consisting of perfected production and euphonious drum beats. Between these two records is a beautiful, funky tale of love, "LA Girls" which is reminiscent of 90s Hip-hop tracks with this furthered confident vibe that shows Puth isn’t afraid to get real with people and express his true emotions. “There’s only room for you in my world,” “How the hell did I get caught up, messing with these LA girls?” Puth’s beautiful vocals also shine on this album through the much improved ballads on this album such as “Patient,” “If You Leave Me Now,” and “Change,” to which he collaborated with artists like James Taylor and Boyz II Men, giving his smooth falsetto tone and vulnerability room to breathe and work its magic. This album also has its rebellious side, with spicy, unanticipated records such as "Empty Cups," which balance out the peaceful, calm, melodic records earlier on in the album through adding flavour in the lyrics. “We’re in a rhythm/You wanna go upstairs but you don’t want to sleep.”

Furthermore, Charlie has made some outstanding choices of collaborations on these tracks as I hinted before, as he strikes with this new bold and confident persona he has created with this album, rehashing vintage and R&B artists like Kehlani and Boyz II Men. However let’s not forget folk-rock star James Taylor, displaying Puth’s remarkable versatility through years of different genres of music into one album. He also collaborated with Daryl Hall and John Oats as they co-wrote the epic 80s kick towards the end of the album Slow It Down, consisting of 80s style vocal arrangements, lead synths, and catchy drum beats.

Puth’s career-changing album then ends on a melodic, piano-driven track, with big, powerful chord changes and strong vocals through the chorus, "Through It All." However, the heavier production is left behind to really shine light on the lyrical aspects to the record. “Growing up in this wild city you had to fight or run/ Now you know why I’m not afraid/ Maybe it’s my recklessness that got me in trouble/ But at least I did it all my way," is sang on verse two of the song, which really wraps up the album to display Puths’ obvious self-realisation which creates this sense of belonging and closure to the album’s courageous attitude.

So... I think it’s safe to say that this album may have a few faults. However it's a well-rounded and beautifully produced set of records. LET'S NOT FORGET TO MENTION!... This 13-track, matured sophomore album which present, adaptability, growth, and talent was built from the ground up by Charlie Puth himself. I think to vocally and musically produce an entire album on your own that is packed with such spontaneity and inspiration has got to be in itself a job-well done!

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