Following a lengthy hiatus between albums, Rita Ora delivers an enjoyable, well-rounded, and much-better-than-anticipated sophomore album in Phoenix.

For British-Albanian pop artist Rita Ora, despite some great moments in her career, she’s yet to experience her breakthrough moment. Absolutely stunning, with an impressive voice, she hasn’t ‘moved the needle.’ Furthering Ora’s predicament, “Girls”, the promo single from her long-awaited sophomore album, Phoenix, felt like a step in the wrong direction, particularly at the time of release.  Even if the good-intentioned, controversial bisexual anthem dimmed the trajectory for Phoenix a bit, there’s plenty to like about the project overall.

“Anywhere”

✓ “Anywhere” kicks off Phoenix on a high note.  A danceable, electro-pop record, Alesso, watt, and Sir Nolan provide Rita Ora with a superb instrumental to paint her vocals over.  Ultimately, the opener checks off the boxes for a well-rounded pop record, including a memorable melody and of course, the chorus.

“Over the hills and far away

A million miles from L.A.

Just anywhere away with you

I know we’ve got to get away

Some place where no one knows our name

We’ll find the start of something new

Just take me anywhere, take me anywhere

Anywhere away with you.”

Follow-up ✓ “Let You Love Me” is a pretty tight record, mustering up only three-minutes and some change. Set in a minor key, given the sound and title, the record has a sexy vibe.  That fits Ora, who sings well throughout. Also, it doesn’t hurt that the record is rhythmic, and embraces modern, electro-infused pop. The chorus represents the best moment of “Let You Love Me”:

“I wish that I could let you love
Wish that I could let you love me…
Say what’s the matter, what’s the matter with me?
What’s the matter with me?
Oh, I wish that I could let you love
Wish that I could let you love me now
Oh I wish, oh I wish, oh I wish, oh I wish, I…”

Rita Ora, ‘Let You Love Me’ | Track Review

“New Look”

“New Look” keeps things short, sweet, and hella groovy. It’s a great combination, one that keeps Phoenix rolling along without a hitch.  Rita Ora sells “New Look” well with high-flying vocals, a decadent, rhythmic melodic line, and a simple, but memorable chorus.  She has a conundrum on another electro-pop smash “Lonely Together” – “It’s my head or my heart, and I’m caught in the middle.” Here, she serves the role as a featured artist – the late, super talented Avicii is the lead artist. Essentially, Ora knows in her ‘head’ that she shouldn’t indulge in him, but her ‘heart’ says otherwise, as she’d rather “Be lonely together.”

“I might hate myself tomorrow

But I’m on my way tonight

At the bottom of a bottle

You’re the poison in the wine

And I know

I can’t change you, and I

I won’t change

I might hate myself tomorrow

But I’m on my way tonight.”

“Your Song” 

“I woke up with a fear this morning / But I can taste you on the tip of my tongue.” Wow, things are ‘serious’ between Rita Ora and her lover. She continues to be on-point – autopilot – on highlight, ✓ “Your Song.” Notably, “Your Song” is co-written by Ed Sheeran and Steve Mac.  Backed by super sleek production (Mac), she’s feeling that four-letter word, best known as love.  No more “sad songs anymore,” she “only wanna hear love songs.” Fair enough. “Only Want You” keeps Phoenix on the up-and-up, reminding fans that this project was worth the excruciating wait.  The central theme continues to be love, which works out well for Ora.  The same can be said of “First Time High,” one of the sexier moments of the LP.

The lead single from Fifty Shades Freed, which came at the hands of Ora and Liam Payne, is reprised on Phoenix. ✓  “For You (Fifty Shades Freed) commences in a minor key, led by synth production. Vocally, Ora, who appears first, sounds brilliant. Backed by a subtle groove initially, as things progress, the groove asserts itself more, as does Ora.  As Liam arrives for a short second verse, there’s more production, and rhythm. Arguably it’s a smidgen less memorable than the best Fifty Shades singles, “For You” is quite enjoyable, and works effectively as a reprisal on Phoenix.

Liam Payne & Rita Ora, ‘For You (Fifty Shades Freed)’ | Track Review

“Summer Love”

On “Summer Love,” Ora blesses the listener with the beauty and sultriness of her lower register on the first verse. Also factoring into the surefire ear candy is the vocal arrangement (harmonies and tone) on the chorus section.  Initially, it seems as if “Summer Love” is going to be relatively low-key with limited rhythm, but a driving, hyper-rhythmic groove appearing during the chorus section ensures that’s not the case.

“I ain’t one-sided, I’m open-minded

I’m fifty-fifty and I’m never gonna hide it.”

As aforementioned, “Girls” feels like a missed opportunity for Rita Ora – it could’ve totally sunk Phoenix. The biggest rub about the record is the fact that she, alongside Bebe Rexha, Charli XCX, and Cardi B, seems to oversimplify bisexuality, same-sex attraction, and sexuality in general.  Just a reminder, “Girls” received widespread criticism.  Beyond the messaging, “Girls” is by no means terrible, even if it’s not exactly game changing either.

Rita Ora, ‘Girls’ | Track Review

“Keep Talking”

Penultimate cut “Keep Talking” pairs Rita Ora with Grammy-nominated pop singer/songwriter Julia Michaels.  One of the most notable features of this record specifically is the melody of the chorus, which easily gets stuck in one’s head.  The cool electro-urban-pop production is pretty stunning in its own right. “Hell of a Life” concludes Phoenix fittingly as Ora views her lover as a game changer, better yet, a life changer:

“You look like you’d be heaven for a night

Make me wanna die

It’s a hell of a –

You look like money, money, dollar signs

My ticked to the ride

It’s a hell of a life.”

“Velvet Rope” / Deluxe

“Don’t you remember me, darling? / When you lay down to sleep, do you still think of me? / ‘Cause I remember you, darling / Without the sadness in your eyes / Now the champagne’s running dry.” Rita Ora ended her promo campaign for Phoenix on a ‘high note’ with ✓ “Velvet Rope,” which only appears on the deluxe edition of the album! As always, she sounds great, showcasing a beautiful tone, filled with nuance, and backed by gorgeous backing vocals (“do-do-do-do-do-do-do”). She’s also accompanied by a lovely, soulful, urban-pop backdrop, led by a robust bass line, piano, and claps.  Horns join the mix on the second verse, further amplifying the soulfulness.

The form of the song is perfect, keeping things traditional with two verses, two pre-choruses, three choruses, and a bridge.  The afore-excerpted pre-chorus, and the chorus are among the best part the record. Beyond “Velvet Rope,” the deluxe edition of Phoenix adds three more songs: “Falling to Pieces,” “Cashmere,” and “Soul Survivor.” “Velvet Rope” is the crème de la crème.

Rita Ora, ‘Velvet Rope’ | Track Review

Final Thoughts

I nearly allowed “Girls” to make me skip Phoenix.  That would’ve been a total mistake.  Rita Ora overcomes the misstep of “Girls” with the overall greatness and soundness that is Phoenix.  It’s been a long time coming, but Ora proves the album was worth the wait.

✓ Gems: “Anywhere,” “Let You Love Me,” “Your Song,” “For You (Fifty Shades Freed)” & “Velvet Rope” (Deluxe only)

Rita Ora • Phoenix • Atlantic • Release: 11.23.18

Photo Credit: Atlantic