On her new album Queen of Me, Shania Twain doesn’t sound like the identical one that was as soon as so on prime she may playfully feign indifference towards Brad Pitt’s movie-star seems in “That Don’t Impress Me A lot.” On the time, she may do no fallacious, having turn out to be a world star and introduced nation music ahead into a brand new period with arena-rock perspective, intercourse attraction, and hooks to match. However as her long-awaited 2017 album Now demonstrated, Twain’s voice, affected by sickness and slowly rehabilitated, has modified — it’s deeper and extra textured than when she was the undisputed queen of nation pop. And although there are just a few refined nods to that imperial section of her profession, Queen of Me doesn’t concern itself an excessive amount of together with her former dominance. As an alternative, it’s an uplifting assertion about being your individual champion within the current.
Which is to say, she nonetheless has loads of enjoyable, whilst she’s totally conscious that it’s not the Nineties anymore. Album opener “Giddy Up” merges a stomping beat and a nonsensical tongue-twister refrain right into a peppy, lets-go-girls exhortation to stay it up. It’s the closest factor to an old-school Shania jam, and in addition the closest to one thing nation radio would possibly play (if that’s even her objective at this level). She will get into (and out of) every kind of hassle with an in depth pal within the effervescent “Greatest Pal.” And within the propulsive “Not Only a Lady,” she advocates for her personal company. “Maintain me, however don’t maintain me down,” she sings.
“Not Only a Lady” is one in all a number of songs the place Twain touches on self-empowerment. The title observe combines harp glissandos and a deep, thumping drum observe to rebuff somebody who’s bent on controlling every thing. In “Model New,” she emerges from a relationship with a clear slate and recent perspective. Better of all, “Fairly Liar” rides a perky girl-group rhythm and melody that belies a bitter coronary heart. “You’re such a fuckin’ liar,” she sings, sweetness flecked with acid.
Generally the manufacturing decisions really feel conspicuously dated. “Giddy Up” has a contact of Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk” in its rhythmic swagger, “Waking Up Dreaming” wanders a bit too near Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” (and Toni Basil’s “ Mickey” by extension), and there’s a way of allegiance to the second when Swift’s 1989 and Dev Hynes’ assorted productions had been all over the place, all mushy synth pads and ghostly vocal samples. It feels too acquainted, even when there’s nothing fallacious with the songs themselves.
Queen of Me is extra profitable when its pop references really feel attuned to her sensibilities as a world pop O.G. “Received It Good” has a contact of the previous maximalist Twain vitality, however it’s underpinned by a glossy disco beat out of Kylie Minogue’s Fever period and ABBA-style vocal harmonies. The album’s closing observe “The Hardest Stone,” produced by Twenty One Pilots’ Tyler Joseph, is equally fascinating with its hip-hop breakbeat, cavernous bass, and weak vocal efficiency. “When will I be taught?” Twain sings, nonetheless feeling the sting of a heartbreak. It’s a grounding second on the heels of a fortifying pep speak. You may and will take management of your life, Twain suggests on Queen of Me, lengthy as you understand it gained’t make you invincible.