Various Artists, Barbie The Album | Album Review 💿

Barbie The Album isn’t the second coming of pop, but it is an enjoyable soundtrack to Barbie with its fair share of highlights.

The film was one of the most anticipated of the year prior to its release.  Yes, that film is 🎦 Barbie, directed by 🎬 Greta Gerwig.  Additionally, the soundtrack, 💿 Barbie The Album, was much hyped in advance of the film, with numerous singles released.  All indications suggested this diverse project would be fun. Does Barbie The Album live up to those expectations? Overall, yes it does.  The various artists compilation isn’t perfect – nowhere near being pop’s second coming – but it is and enjoyable listen with its fair share of highlights.

“Pink”

Barbie The Album commences with a bang with 🤩 🎵 “Pink” performed by 🏆 Grammy winner, 🎙 Lizzo.  “Pink” is a groovy, pop-soul joint that sets the tone and speaks to Barbie itself.  Anytime we think Barbie, the first color to come to mind is pink. “In pink, goes with everything / Beautiful from head to toe / I’m read’ to go, you know you know,” Lizzo sings in the infectious, tuneful chorus, continuing, “It’s pink, good enough to drink / We like other colors / But pink just looks so good on us.” Adding to the allure of the opener is a reference to Midge, a discontinued Barbie who is featured in the film.

“Baby, you can find me under the lights / Diamonds under my eyes.” Ooh-la-la, 🎙 Dua Lipa! Those lyrics hail from the first verse of 🤩 🎵 “Dance The Night”, the second track, single, and second consecutive highlight from 💿 Barbie The Album. “Dance The Night” features danceable, picturesque production thanks to 🎛 Mark Ronson, Picard Brothers, and Andrew Wyatt. Perhaps it is those jubilant, flirty strings that make the backdrop so electrifying! “Turn the rhythm up, don’t you wanna just / Come along for the ride?” Dua Lipa continues singing in the first verse.  As always, the singing is solid – we expect no less from a vocalist as talented as her.  Furthermore, those vocals are playful and flirty, delivered with plenty of personality.  She’s not lying when she asserts, “I can take the heat, baby, best believe / That’s the moment I shine,” or “When the night’s here, I don’t do tears / Baby, no chance.” Ow! In addition to fun lyrics and a well-rounded vocal, the tunefulness of the melody further amplifies this surefire catalyst for a dance floor. Honestly, is there any way you can sit on you’re a$$ while Dua Lipa implores us to 🎵 “Dance The Night” away? Hell nah – of course not! Dua Lipa says it best in the chorus: “My heart could be burnin’, but you won’t see it on my face / Watch me dance (dance), dance the night away.”    

Appears in 🔻:  

• Dua Lipa, “Dance The Night”: Dance Gemz 🕺 💎 🎶 11 (2023)
• 15 Epic Songs Fueled by DANCE 🕺🪩 (2023) 

“All of the Barbies is bad / It girls (it girls) and we ain’t playin’ tag.” Woo! 🎙 Nicki Minaj and 🎙 Ice Spice collaborate on 🎵 “Barbie World”, which samples the 1997 gem, 🎵 “Barbie Girl” by 🎙 Aqua (rightfully credited on “Barbie World”). The vocalist of the Eurodance group, 🎙 Lene Nystrøm, plays a crucial role throughout this new record.  🎛 RIOTUSA works behind the boards on this drill/electronic trap joint. Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice split duties in the chorus, which is the first major section of “Barbie World.” Then, Nicki drops the first verse. She spits, “I’m a Barbie Girl (Girl), pink Barbie dreamhouse / The way Ken be killin’ shit got me yellin’ out like the Scream house.” WOO! Ice Spice drops the second verse, asserting, “I’m washin’ these bitches, I’m rubbin’ the stain out.” Day-um! Nystrøm closes things out, singing the beloved “Barbie Girl” chorus in all its glory. Perhaps more than anything, this sub-two-minute cut is a vibe – the aesthetic is a big selling point. 

“Speed Drive”

Who doesn’t love a good summer vibe? A summer bop to turn TF up while the windows are down? Adding to the bops from Barbie The Album is 🤩 🎵 “Speed Drive” by🎙 Charli XCX. Despite its brevity, Charli entertains us on this confident, fun joint. 🎛 EASYFUN handles the production providing Charli with a respectable backdrop.  She squeezes in two verses thanks to a quicker tempo.  Her melodic lines are agile and packed with personality.  She describes Barbie as being perfection. “Devon Lee smile, teeth a white row / Got a classic, real deep, Van Gogh.” In the second verse, she seems to embody Barbie herself: “What you think about me, I don’t care / I’m a real classic, real deep, Voltaire / The girls who need to know, well, they already know / They’re over there.” Of course, the centerpiece is the chorus:  “Ah, Barbie, you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind / Jump into the driver’s seat and put it into speed drive.”  🎵 “Speed Drive” = CUTE!  

Barbie The Album gets some Latin flavor with the groovy 🎵 “WATATI,”  performed by Columbian singer, 🎙 KAROL G. The beat is infectious to the nth degree – PERIOD.  Besides her own personality-laden performance, KAROL gets an assist from Panamanian singer, 🎙 Aldo Ranks. “WATATI” is a vibe by all means. Packing a more sizable punch is the Ken song, 🤩 🎵 “Man I Am,” performed by 🏆 Academy and Grammy award winner, 🎙 Sam Smith. The chorus is the section to beat, as Smith characterizes the Kens as “Super sleazy, born to be easy…” Prior to that, Smith attests to the masculinity of Kens: “See I’m the groove catcher, hottest thing / Six-pack and tight G-string / No, I’m not gay, bro / But I’ve been on the lay low.” Hmm, not gay, huh? Post- “Man I Am,” 🎙 Tame Impala drops the brief, psychedelic 🎵 “Journey To The Real World.”  Much like 🎙 Kevin Parker’s music throughout his career, the sound is colorful and, of course, trippy.  It’s a welcome interlude sandwiched between features by Smith and 🎙 Ryan Gosling.

“I’m Just Ken”

“Can you feel the Ken-ergy?” One of the best (if not the best) moments of Barbie The Album arrives courtesy of 🎙 Ryan Gosling on 🤩 🎵 “I’m Just Ken”. 🎼 ✍ 🎛 Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt pen and produce a bop where the actor, embracing his full-on Ken-ness, is in reflective mode.  It is interesting because we don’t associate Ken dolls (himbos) with having the self-awareness to be introspective – transcend beyond the six pack abs and perfect body most of us won’t have. But, Ryan, aka Ken, does just that… in his own way, mind you. “I have feelings that I can’t explain / Drivin’ me insane,” he sings, adding, “All my life, been so polite / But I’ll sleep alone tonight.” Interesting, isn’t it? In the second verse, he admits to wanting love, asking, “And is my moment finally here or am I dreaming?” Of course, the chorus is a big deal, where Ken admits, “Anywhere else I’d be a ten / Is it my destiny to live and die a life of blonde fragility? /… What will it take for her to see the man behind the tan and fight for me.” Aww 🥰!  Basically, 🎵 “I’m Just Ken” is that fierce pop joint you didn’t know you needed in your life! Shout out to Ryan Gosling! It’s giving #KEN!  

Appears in 🔻:  

• Ryan Gosling, I’m Just Ken: FIERCE Pop + Rock 🔥🤘 32 (2023) 

Following up Ryan Gosling and the marvelous 🎵 “I’m Just Ken” is an elephantine task. Honestly, 🎵 “Hey Blondie” by 🎙 Dominic Fike doesn’t keep the same energy.  It is a chill, groovy joint with a nice, light sound, but not nearly as fun as the anthemic pop/rock cut that precedes it. Similarly, 🎵 “Home” by 🎙 HAIM falls short of the glory of Ken or preceding standouts. It’s pleasant and somewhat catchy, but not the crème de la crème of Barbie The Album.

“What Was I Made For?”

“I used to float, now I just fall down / I used to know, but I’m not sure now / What I was made for / What was I made for?” When 🎙 Billie Eilish and 🎛 FINNEAS release music, it hits different, doesn’t it?Most of the songs from Barbie: The Album have are brief, energetic, groovy, and upbeat.  In the case of Eilish’s 🤩 🎵 “What Was I Made For?” tempo slackens, the duration increases, and the tone is much more reflective.  As always, Eilish and FINNEAS concoct magic in the studio, penning this ballad. Producing alongside FINNEAS is Wyatt and Ronson. “What Was I Made For?” is absolutely beautiful.  It commences as a piano ballad. As the record progresses, there’s additional instrumentation that fills things out (the beauty of the synthesizer).  The melody is stunning, amplified more by radiant vocals by Billie Eilish.  Eilish sounds particularly strong in her upper register showcasing her versatility.  Besides her superb vocal performance, the vocal production is also a selling point. From a songwriting perspective, “What Was I Made For?” is well-penned – we expect no less from Eilish! It’s sad, mind you, but highly successful (“When did it end? All the enjoyment/ I’m sad again, don’t tell my boyfriend / It’s not what he’s made for / What was I made for?”).  

🎙 The Kid LAROI gets in on the soundtrack action on 🎵 “Forever & Again.” The 19-year-old brings the energy in the chorus.  Furthermore, he sounds true to self from start to finish.  That said, “Forever & Again” isn’t game changing. Good, not earth shattering. 🎙 Khalid follows, shining with his expressive, unique instrument on 🎵 “Silver Platter,” including some sweet falsetto. Getting some contemporary R&B flavor is a win, keeping Barbie The Album diverse. Like The Kid LAROI prior, Khalid doesn’t necessarily move the needle, despite the fact he performs well. Next, it’s 🎙 PinkPantheress’ time to shine on the two-minute joint, 🤩 🎵 “Angel.” PinkPantheress serves up a cool brand of smooth vocals, never getting too high in this advanced single.  Furthermore, she’s back by a strong instrumental which she produced alongside 🎛️ BloodPop® and Count Baldor.  Thematically, “Angel” is about an ideal love that has gone away – oh the plight, the plight!  

“butterflies” 

“Come on, baby, come, come on, baby / You’re my butterfly, sugar, crazy.” 🎙 GAYLE adds to the list of musicians lending their voice and pen to Barbie.  Notably on 🎵 “butterflies,” the  🏆 Grammy nominee interpolates 🎙 Crazy Town (🎵 “Butterfly”). “Butterflies” is intense with GAYLE delivering an assertive performance with no shortage of attitude.  Not my favorite cut but respectable. “If you wanna go six inch or flat / Wanna wear hot pink or black / Don’t let nobody tell you you can’t / ‘Cause you can.” WOO!  🎵 “Choose Your Fighter” by 🎙 Ava Max is more of my cup of tea.  Sure, it doesn’t quite reach the same level as the songs from Max’s marvelous 2023 album, 💿 Diamonds & Dancefloors, but it’s patterned in a similar, danceable vein which is a win.  Furthermore, the fight exhibited by Ava – magnificent!

“When I close my eyes, it’s a fantasy / Perfect plastic life from a magazine.” Yep, 🎙 FIFTY FIFTY, it’s giving Barbie!!! The South-Korean girl group continues singing in the centerpiece, the chorus, “Then I wake up, it’s reality / I can have it all, live my Barbie dreams.” Sigh, those 🤩 🎵 “Barbie Dreams” are giving #VIBES. The exuberant closing track was produced by 🎛 Space Primates who puts in the work to make this joint shimmer something fierce 🔥. Of course, FIFTY FIFTY gets a lift from American rapper, 🎙 Kaliii. “Barbie Dreams” isn’t deep, nor is it expected to be. 🎙 Sio sings the first verse, asserting, “Pink Prima Donna, I’m feeling hot tonight / That pretty state of mind, because I’m with my…” Her, “girls” of course, which 🎙 Aran adds in the pre-chorus, expanding the pinkness prior to the chorus.  Adding to the exuberance are the carefree “La-di-da-da-da(s)” of the post-chorus.  Kaliii, of course, gets her moment in the second verse (“Ken gon’ spend ‘cause I’m a ten / Pink Corvette, let’s paint the rims”).  While nothing substantive comes out of 🎵 “Barbie Dreams” it’s an ear-catching F-U-N bop.

Final Thoughts 💭 

So, how does 💿 Barbie The Album stack up? All in all, this is a fun soundtrack to the film. Does it transcend its soundtrack status? Not particularly.  While enjoyable enough outside of the film, Barbie The Album is still very much a soundtrack, whose success hinges on the happenings in the movie. Still, even if you haven’t partaken of the film, you can gets some highs off the likes of 🎵 “Dance The Night” and even 🎵 “I’m Just Ken”. 

🤩 Gems 💎: “Pink,” “Dance The Night,” “Barbie World,” “Speed Drive,” “I’m Just Ken,” “What Was I Made For?”, “Angel” & “Barbie Dreams”

🎙 Various Artists • 💿 Barbie The Album • 🏷 Atlantic / Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. • 📅 7.21.23

[📷: Atlantic / Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.]