Alongside pouring out the newest in Popular culture, right here at That Grape Juice we’ve lengthy championed the unchampioned and have fun the uncelebrated.
Therefore, with this week bringing with it the tenth anniversary of Christina Aguilera‘s ‘Lotus’ album, we really feel it pertinent to toast the criminally underrated venture.
Launched on November 13, 2012, the LP admittedly arrived sans a distinguished, overarching theme. A primary (in a protracted whereas) for an Xtina LP on the time. It lacked the deeply private skew of a ‘Stripped,’ the soulful nod to eras previous that each ‘Again 2 Fundamentals’ and ‘Burlesque’ introduced us, and it largely did away with the experimental buoyance of ‘Bionic.’
Nonetheless, from our vantage level, it was an entirely pleasant jukebox of jams, with its sole sins being questionable advertising and arriving in a local weather that was dominated by different Pop divas.
Standalone, it homes a few of Aguilera’s strongest tracks in years – plenty of which might be well-placed in her ever-and-always setlist of necessities.
Be part of us after the bounce the place we revisit a few of our favorites…
Your Physique
Rightfully serviced because the album’s lead single, this blaring ball of brilliance is Christina at her melismatic finest. From the infectious hook to the unbridled energy of her belting, she alleviated any fan fear about teaming with Pop’s mass-used and ever-dependable hitmaker Max Martin.
For, she paired his nearly scientific method to crafting an plain radio hit together with her Aguilera sauce – and the outcomes had been each scrumptious and uniquely “her” in a approach others can’t replicate. Nonetheless.
Be aware: We, the individuals, are owed (sure, owed) a correct reside efficiency of this basic. No remixes, sped-up, or tampered variations. No. A back-to-front reside tackle this absolute bop!
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Sing For Me
Considerably of a polarizer, we’ve lengthy liked ‘Sing For Me.’
Choose critics bemoaned the monitor for being sonically indulgent and arguably overcooked. Nevertheless, for us, that’s its actual attraction. In spite of everything, it’s all within the identify.
Somewhat than being one other lovelorn ballad, Xtina sings for Xtina and empowers herself in an entirely compelling approach.
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Simply A Idiot
Oftentimes when artists drop albums that fuse numerous sounds, there runs the danger of songs standing out for the unsuitable causes or the venture presenting as a group of random cuts thrown collectively.
In different cases, flirtations with “different” genres lead to sudden gems.
Living proof Nation-kissed lower ‘Simply A Idiot.’
A collaboration with Blake Shelton, the monitor sees the celebrities (who, on the time, had been each coaches on The Voice) commerce verses on the emotive anthem.
On the time of its launch, it was rising right into a burgeoning hit. And we’re not fairly over the plug being pulled prematurely.
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Clean Web page
Is it actually a “Christina” album with out a hovering, emotionally-wrought ballad?
‘Clean Web page’ fulfils this requirement after which some.
Rousing, resonant, and lyrically astute, this has etched itself onto the checklist of Xtina’s most shifting musical moments.
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Let There Be Love
Maybe essentially the most timestamped monitor on the LP, given its unashamed embrace of the “in” sound on the time (see: EDM-Pop), ‘Let There Me Love’ nonetheless manages to pack a potent punch to at the present time.
Although a contact generic, the monitor compensates with vocal pyrotechnics that marvel in earnest in addition to a melody that defines infectious.
Within the decade since its launch, Xtina has built-in the Max Martin x Shellback quantity as a agency fixture in her reside exhibits. Rightfully so. We’re simply hoping that extra from ‘Lotus’ follows swimsuit.
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What’s your tackle ‘Lotus’ a decade on? Do you agree with our picks? Tell us…
