Robin Thicke – Blurred Lines

You may remember Robin Thicke as the blue-eyed soul singer from the noughties with his yearning ballads Lost Without You and The Sweetest Love. But this year the singer has taken more of an upbeat, pop approach to his music with Blurred Lines, bringing in the likes of producer Pharrell Williams, and rappers Kendrick Lamar and T.I. No more slow jams, no more crooning, for Thicke 2013 is all about getting people dancing: “My wife and I just really wanted to have fun again, we wanted to be young again and we wanted to dance again…so I wanted to make music that reflected that culture also.”

And the public are certainly dancing. The album’s title track and infectious lead single Blurred Lines topped charts worldwide and became the second best-selling single of 2013 so far in the UK. Although an immensely catchy song with delicious 70s funk vibes, Thicke has received a somewhat negative response from music critics who claim the song and accompanying video is “creepy” and degrading towards women. Nevertheless, there’s no denying this one’s a hit.

Give It 2 U featuring Kendrick Lamar sounds like what could be a promising dance hit until out come the crass and distasteful lyrics again – music critics Caroline Sullivan and Greg Kot note how Thicke “regularly divests himself of dignity” and that his pick-up lines “sound like they were culled from the comments section on a porn site”.

Take It Easy On Me is another summer hit that could easily pass as a Justin Timberlake and Timbaland collaboration. It’s no surprise then that the track is Timbaland-produced and he’s certainly imprinted his signature style on it with pounding synths and a sexy, r&b smoothness.

But it appears Thicke hasn’t completely abandoned his slushy ballads – a few of which are thrown in towards the end of the album, perhaps for old time’s sake. 4 the Rest of My Life is the slow wedding dance-type featuring alluring and sensual lyrics in an ode to the singer’s wife. Prince’s influence oozes through this track from the lyrical content to Thicke’s falsetto vocals and the musical arrangement.

Overall, Blurred Lines is a decent dance-pop album filled with retro grooves that you can’t help but move to, it’s just a shame the majority of the lyrical content kills the mood somewhat.

Gemma Whitfield

Blurred Lines is released on 30^th July 2013. For further information or to order the album visit Robin Thicke’s website here. 

Watch the video for Blurred Lines here: