Lizzo, Special | Album Review 💿

Oft-criticized, bigger-than-life, Grammy-winning pop star Lizzo delivers a consistent, sickening sophomore album with Special. 

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fter a three-year gap, “It’s about damn time” for a new 🎙 Lizzo album! Woo! After 🎵 “Rumors” failed to generate the buzz expected, I wondered how the 🏆 Grammy-winning pop sensation would rebound. Thankfully, she released the right single and righted her sophomore album campaign.  The resulting LP, 💿 Special is a special album, showcasing Lizzo’s versatility as an artist over a tight 35-minute runtime.  For all the criticism and hatred, all the 34-year-old does on Special is serve up sickening bop after bop!

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“The Sign” 

“Hi, motherfucker, did you miss me? / I’ve been home since 2020.” Woo! Well, that’s one hell of a way to commence an album! Lizzo kicks Special off with a surefire bang: 🤩 🎵 “The Sign.” On this tone-setting joint, she’s true to herself being profane, exuding attitude, plenteous confidence, being ‘an open book,’ and blessing us with superb vocals.  This record strikes balance between pop, R&B, and hip-hop, playing to Lizzo’s crossover strengths. 🎛 Phoelix and 🎛 Ricky Reed kill it on the boards, giving Lizzo fire to ‘do the damn thing.’ Just know, “If you’re lookin’ for the sign, bitch, I’m it!”

🤩 🎵 “About Damn Time” is the crowning achievement of Special. There’s kick-ass production courtesy of 🎛 Blake Slatkin and 🎛 Ricky Reed constructed with rhythm guitar, robust bassline, and a killer groove. The sound has a retro quality – think old-school R&B. This backdrop suits Lizzo, who is confident AF from the onset. I heart the attitude that she brings to the track, as well as the high-flying vocals.  The chorus is incredibly catchy, led by the titular lyric, “It’s about damn time.” Woo! Also, I love how she switches to rap in the second verse which provides a welcome contrast.  Furthermore, the bridge/outro is fun AF (“I’m coming out tonight” with its “oohs”). Ultimately, Lizzo ‘comes through’ on “About Damn Time.” It’s a fun, groovy, and utterly infectious joint!

🎵 “Grrrls”, the second single from 💿 Special, received backlash early on. Lizzo righted a wrong, taking ownership for the use of an ableist slur.  She swiftly fixed things – the right thing to do.  The song is enjoyable without being the best on Special.  She keeps things short, sweet and empowering.  Despite its brevity, the two-minute record features five producers: ​🎛 benny blanco, 🎛 ILYA, 🎛 Max Martin, Blake Slatkin, and 🎛 Pop Wansel.  The shared production yields a positive result. “Grrls” samples 🎙 Beastie Boys’ 1986 record, 🎵 “Girls”.  Lizzo sings well, with no sassy, attitude deficit to be found.  She supports her ‘sisters’ through and through – “‘Cause that’s my girl, we codependent / If she with it, then I’m with it.” She’s profane, mind you, but she’s gonna support her girls: “I’ma go Lorena Bobbitt on him, so he never fuck again.” Wow! The centerpiece is the chorus in all its girl-centric glory: “Wherе my girls, where my girls at? (Woo-hoo).” 

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“2 B Loved (Am I Ready)” 

🤩 🎵 “2 B Loved (Am I Ready)” continues the epic start of Special.  Besting the preceding 🎵 “Grrrls”, “2 B Loved (Am I Ready)” truly embraces pop.  Produced by ILYA and Max Martin, it’s high-energy from the onset.  Empowering and encouraging, Lizzo speaks about her readiness for love (“How am I supposed to love somebody else (Shee, shee, shee) / When I don’t like myself? Like, ooh / Guess I better learn to like this, ooh”). Furthermore, she asserts she deserves it, which doesn’t come over as ‘cocky’ but positive.  Beyond the uplifting lyrics and magnificent production, Lizzo’s vocals are EVERYTHING.

It’s never shocking to hear Lizzo swear, particularly when that swear word is bitch.  No one should be surprised Special has a record featuring the five-letter word in its title. 🎵 “I Love You Bitch” isn’t a classy, refined pop cut, but, Lizzo makes her point loud and clear.  “I realized that I wanted to write a universal love song – one you could sing to the person you’re fucking and your best friend, to your family, or to someone you just met at a bar.” “I Love You Bitch” covers that and musters up a catchy chorus and great production work courtesy of 🎛 Omer Fedi and Blake Slatkin.

“I Love You Bitch” is sweet, but the title track, 🤩 🎵 “Special” is even better.  “Special” is a reaction to the criticism that Lizzo has received for seemingly everything.  Her authenticity and honesty truly shine, especially moments like, “If it wasn’t me, then would you even get offended or / Is it just because I’m black and heavy? Y’all don’t hear me though.” Even though she’s had more than enough negativity thrown her way, she doesn’t wallow in pessimism – she opts for optimism, encouraging herself, encouraging others, and taking the high road.  “In case nobody told you today / You’re special / In case nobody made you believe / You’re special,” she sings on the utterly sublime chorus, adding, “I’m so glad that you’re still with us / Broken, but damn, you’re still perfect.” One of the best of Special.

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“Break Up Twice”

How do you follow up a song that’s as special as “Special?” How about with 🤩 🎵 “Break Up Twice,” which samples the beloved 🎙 Lauryn Hill no. 1 hit, 🎵 “Doo Wop (That Thing)” and 🎵 “Private Number” by 🎙 Judy Clay and 🎙 William Bell.  “Break Up Twice” is one of the most soulful numbers on Special.  It’s not surprising, with Ricky Reed and 🎙 Mark Ronson behind the boards, two producers who do a fine job integrating retro elements.  Thematically, Lizzo sings about love taking time, and a willingness to work things out. That said, she also gives a clear warning to that boy that wants a second chance: “‘Cause, boy, you know me better / You know me so much better / You know that I don’t break up twice.” Better heed her warning!

With the neo-soul out of her system, apparently, 🤩 🎵 “Everybody’s Gay.”  Woo – “it’s about damn time!” So, be true to yourself because, on this neo-disco gem, “We can take our mask off / We can ball and parlay.” Woo! So, is this record really about sexuality? Well, it speaks to being ‘who you are’ and not hiding or pretending to be someone else.  This is a record that encourages self-love without fear or reservation.  It’s fun and as always, Lizzo is unapologetic.  The orchestration (Lemar Guillary) and production (🎛 Nate Mercereau, Pop Wansel, 🎛 Ian Kirkpatrick, and Ricky Reed) are reason enough to put this one on repeat! 

Keeping things rolling is 🤩 🎵 “Naked” which ISN’T scandalous. This record is another example of Lizzo promoting self-love, body positivity, and speaking to presumably a lover regarding love. “Can I be discreet with you? Will you keep all my secrets?” she sings in the first verse, continuing, “I just wanna lay it down and open up the deepness.” Wow! Of course, the chorus is where she makes her most profound statement, accepting and loving herself and looking to receive acceptance and appreciation from her lover:

“I’m naked

Love how you look at me naked

Come make this body feel sacred

I’m a big girl, can you take it?

Naked.”

This is a record that I hope people appreciate.  Everyone should embrace this message of growth, self-love, etc.

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“Birthday Girl”

“Is it your birthday, girl? / ‘Cause you’re lookin’ like a present.” The empowering message of “Naked” can extend beyond women, as previously stated.  As for 🎵 “Birthday Girl,” this fun, profane anthem was meant for the girls!  This soulful pop joint, produced by 🎛 The Monsters & Strangerz keeps the positive vibes and consistency going without a hitch.  I love Lizzo’s attitude, energy, and in-your-face performance.  She balances things out with 🎵 “If You Love Me,”  which is a stark contrast.  Produced by Nate Mercereau and 🎛 Kid Harpoon, the record dips its toes back into neo- and retro-soul while also falling into the realm of soulful pop. The lead vocals are stellar, as always.  I’m also impressed by Lizzo’s background vocals, which play a crucial role in the soulful aesthetic.

The final song from Special is 🎵 “Coldplay.”  This jazzy-soul pop cut expectedly samples 🎙 Coldplay (🎵 “Yellow”) in addition to referencing the band lyrically (“It made me sad, I cried / Singin’ Coldplay in the night”). Additionally, “Coldplay” samples 🎙 Quelle Chris and 🎙 Chris Keys (🎵 “Sudden Death”).  🎙 Chris Martin, by virtue of sampling, has some unique moments within this closing number.  While the sample and sound carry a lot of weight, love continues to dominate.

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Final Thoughts 💭 

Haters are going to hate but in my honest opinion, Lizzo delivers another sickening album with Special.  Tight at 12 tracks, there isn’t a bad song to be found, including 🎵 “Grrrls”.  The production is #winning from start to finish.  The songs are entertaining and fun, with aa heaping dose of empowerment thrown in.  Finally, Lizzo’s voice remains exceptional, sifting through a variety of music styles on this must-hear pop album.  One of the year’s best? Me thinks!

🤩 Gems 💎: “The Sign,” “About Damn Time,” “2 B Loved (Am I Ready),” “Special,” “Break Up Twice,” “Everybody’s Gay” & “Naked”  

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🎙 Lizzo • 💿 Special • 🏷  Nice Life / Atlantic • 🗓 7.15.22

[📷: Nice Life / Atlantic]

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