Reading Time: 4 min read

4 out of 5 stars

Girl easily one-ups Williams’ 2006 debut, In My Mind

Few had a better year in 2013 than Pharrell Williams.  A longtime veteran of the music game, things slowed down for awhile. Williams career became reinvigorated in a big way, thanks to juggernauts “Get Lucky” (Daft Punk) and “Blurred Lines” (Robin Thicke). Williams’ accomplishments were celebrated by a couple of notable Grammy victories and an Academy award nomination for “Happy.” Pharrell is no dummy; because he’s ‘hot’ right now, it’s the perfect time to drop his second solo album, Girl.  It’s not merely strategic; Girl has the quality to back it up.  Compared to In My Mind, Girl is tons more fun!

Marilyn Monroe” initiates Girl with a sophisticated, classical-sounding string flurry. NO MIDI strings, but the real-deal, arranged by Hans Zimmer (Bruce Fowler orchestrates).   The overall sound and vibe is ‘Pharrell-ean’, given the expected cues characteristic of the artist, but also incredibly soulful.  As sensational and classy as the production is, Williams’ flawless falsetto seals the deal, particularly given the gentlemanlike tone of “Marilyn Monroe”.  “Not even Marilyn Monroe / Queen Cleopatra please / Not even Joan of Arc,” sings Williams on the refrain, “That don’t mean

“Not even Marilyn Monroe / Queen Cleopatra please / Not even Joan of Arc/ that don’t mean nothin’ to me / I just want a different girl…can’t another good boy keep it this through.”

Essentially, Williams is hopelessly in love, and not even another ‘dime’ could atone for his affection towards ‘her’.  Chivalrous as albeit.

The chivalrous spirit continues on the Justin Timberlake assist “Brand New,” which may be best summed up by its chorus: “Honey, you got me feelin’ (brand new) / like the tag’s still on me…jumpin’ round in your bag…” Essentially, the boys are saying ‘she’s’ changed them and reinvigorated them; they are renewed.  Sure a lyric like Williams’ “A winner never quits / a quitter never wins / I thought about what I wanted / and you were on my list” is sort of schmaltzy, but it is memorable.  Ultimately, “Brand New” proves to be a pop-soul track that’s clearing #winning.

Hunter”, the follow-up isn’t too shabby either, though Williams allows for a bit more naughtiness.  Post-chorus lyrics like “My love has come…sex has come” clearly switch from the emotional side of the relationship to what goes down in the bedroom.  Still, Williams keeps things classy enough.  Again though, the falsetto is so ‘nasty’, William’s sensual thoughts can be heard audibly in that upper vocal register.

So much for classy! “Gush” is not referencing ‘gushing’ ocean waves by any means.  But rather than stick that god-awful parental advisory sticker on Girl, “Gush” has been edited, even if ubiquitous lyric “light that a$$ on fire” slyly remains intact.  The jazzy, soulful harmonic progression is clearly in Neptunian style, aka The Neptunes production.  That said, Williams was the driving force behind that production style, and he produces the entirety of Girl.

But any who, Williams admits his perverted side didn’t come from his momma: “I don’t know what’s come over me / my momma didn’t raise me that way.”  Still, the continuation of the pre-chorus seems like an excuse only by a man possessed by the three-letter word (“…You lit a fire, from inside of me / that’d light your seat ablaze, girl…”), only confirmed by the chorus (“Tonight I wanna be dirty, girl…do you wanna get dirty girl? Let’s go”). Well, Williams is saying what most guys are thinking, right?

Atonement for improprieties or being a ‘D-O-G’ comes with the undeniably enthusiastic “Happy”.  Sure, many knew that “Let It Go” from Frozen was going to be difficult to beat for an Oscar, but didn’t everyone have a sweet spot in their heart for arguably the year’s most positive song? Throwback soul never sounded so relevant in a time where soulfulness isn’t the dominant trend.  That said, “Happy” is so addictive and infectious, that it is undeniable to want to move your body to it and smile.  Really, there’s no more to say – it’s classic.

Come Get It Bae” gets the tall task of following the gem, but the sick grooving number does a good job.  Williams enlists the help of Miley Cyrus, but to hers and his credit, it works.  Sure, the cut isn’t intelligent, but it is irresistible – and sexual. Yep, probably a perfect reason for ‘new Miley’ to guest… “Come get it bae, come get it bae… you wanna ride it, my motorcycle / you’ve got a license, but you got the right to,” Williams sings on the chorus, “Gonna pop a wheelie, don’t try too high / take it easy on the clutch, cause girl I like you.”  That motorcycle certainly can’t be a Harley… just an observation!

After getting riled up on “Come Get It Bae”, Williams settles things down with the help of Daft Punk.  “Gust of Wind” is amongst the albums’ best, featuring exceptional production work, driven by its groove.  Williams’ vocals are clear, soulful, and nuanced, among his best performances of the entire effort.  The chivalrous nature returns, contrasting the freakiness of “Bae”: “When I open the window / I wanna hug you / cause you remind me of the air / I said yeah / cause when I’m feelin’ real low / I remember I love you / I put my hands in the air / and you were there.”

Lost Queen” is lengthy, but that is because it features a hidden track (I won’t reveal it).  Like the rest of Girl, “Lost Queen” is enjoyable and well conceived, but it isn’t quite as valedictory as the top echelon, which includes “Brand New”, “Happy”, and “Gust of Wind”.   As for that hidden track that I won’t name, it’s worth the listen.

Know Who You Are” brings in Alicia Keys, who ends up collaborating well with Williams.  Like the rest of the LP, production remains top-notch, but the overall song/songwriting matches up well here too.  Girl closes with “It Girl”, in which Williams’ falsetto is ripe from the jump.  It’s not as dominant a close as “Marilyn Monroe” opens, but it holds its own.

Ten tracks deep, Girl benefits from its brevity and overall lack of filler.  Sure, it’s not a perfect album, but ultimately, Pharrell Williams delivers an effort that plays to his musical strengths and is pleasant to the ear.  He doesn’t over-sex R&B like so many of his contemporary and younger male artists tend to do; he keeps things classy.  Mature and enjoyable, Girl is definitely a winner worthy of numerous spins… or a high play count on the iPod, LOL.

Gems: “Brand New,” “Hunter,” “Happy,” “Come Get It Bae” & “Gust of Wind” 

Pharrell Williams • Girl • Columbia • US Release: 3.3.14

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the musical hype

the musical hype aka Brent Faulkner has earned Bachelor and Masters degrees in music (music Education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and a freelance music journalist. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.

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