Christina Aguilera, Fall in Line | Track Review 🎵

After teasing us with appetizers from Liberation, a reinvigorated Christina Aguilera returns with the epic Demi Lovato duet, “Fall in Line.”

“This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for.” Literally, it is! Christina Aguilera has been playing with us – at least to an extent. Sure, we all hella happy that one music’s most gifted singers is releasing a new album, Liberation, following a six-year hiatus.  But, we all know that Aguilera has been more ‘lukewarm’ compared to ‘hot’ in the 2010s.  Face it, Lotus (2012) was a big-time commercial flop.  Bionic, which arrived two years prior in 2010 wasn’t exactly a juggernaut either. But on May 16, 2018, C.A. gave us legitimate hope, in the form or previously teased single “Fall in Line,” featuring Demi Lovato.  To quote a pastor, “Let the church say yesssss!”

“Fall in Line” features somewhat of an off-kilter groove at the onset. Listening to the intro, one asks themselves, ‘WTF is going on?’ Soon enough (about 12 seconds in), this off-kilter sound settles into a grinding, soulful, six-eight groove.  Naturally, it becomes fuel for the fire for two of pop’s elite vocalists. Christina Aguilera gets to work with controlled, but nuanced vocals on the first verse.  The vocals and the message are pitch-perfect:

“Little girls, listen closely…
…in this world, you are not beholden
You do not owe them
Your body and your soul.”

While C.A. exhibits control, her beastly vocals begin to appear on the pre-chorus, while Aguilera ‘lets ‘er rip’ on the chorus (joined by Demi Lovato).

“It’s just the way it is
And maybe it’s never gonna change
But I got a mind to show my strength
And I got a right to speak my mind
And I’m gonna pay for this
They’re gonna burn me at the stake
But I got a fire in my veins
I wasn’t made to fall in line
No, I was made to fall in line, no.”

Demi Lovato takes the lead on the second verse, similarly maintaining composure and poise, before spreading her wings and flying on the chorus.  The true magic occurs throughout when these two join forces, particularly the second and third iterations of the chorus.  Clearly, empowerment is the central message.

Final Thoughts

Finally, Christina Aguilera brings the heat and truly builds the anticipation and buzz for Liberation.  Finally! Promo single “Accelerate” felt like Aguilera trying to assimilate to the clichés and gimmickry of modern pop with lackluster results.  “Twice” is a well-rounded number that fits her voice though arguably fall just short of the heights of her best ballads.  With “Fall in Line,” paired with arguably pop’s biggest powerhouse currently, Demi Lovato, it feels like Aguilera has finally struck gold. This feels like potentially the moment she’s finally got her mojo back.

Christina Aguilera • Liberation • RCA • Release: 6.15.18

Photo Credit: RCA