The Rundown: Fantasia, Side Effects of You
A track-by-track review of Ms. Barrino's latest effort.
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The Rundown: Fantasia, Side Effects of You - Like any pop star with a turbulent public life (and love) Fantasia has taken the happiness and heartache from her split with beau Antwaun Cook and spun it into an unforgettable studio LP. Her fifth one, Side Effects of You, comes at a time when Ms. Barrino is trying to regain the pop luster that had faded into sensational tabloid headlines. Being accused of seeing Cook when he was married, having a baby by Cook, attempting suicide reportedly over Cook — it ain’t hard to tell that, with so much of her relationship making it into the news, that it has also made it into this stellar LP. Here’s a track-by-track breakdown of Fantasia's latest. (Photo: 19 recordings, RCA Records, Sony Music Group)
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“Supernatural” - As Fantasia’s vocals invoke both gospel-inspiration and hood affirmation, the song “Supernatural” blasts off with a choir’s uplifting refrain over a simmering synth track. This cut, where Fantasia sings her love for her man, feels like a groove-heavy update of her club banger “Hood Boy.” Playing the corner-boy of her affection, rapper Big K.R.I.T. raps on the track. (Photos from Left to Right: Big K.R.I.T at 106 & Park, May 9, 2012, John Ricard / BET, Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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“Ain’t All Bad” - On this cut, Fantasia gives a refreshing twist to the theme of a struggling love lost, belting out her reflections over a bouncy roots-reggae rhythm. “I don’t want to live fear,” she sings, “of living my life without you.” Given Fantasia’s mastery of melody and rhythm in her vocals, the island/R&B mixture doesn’t sound awkward, but rather makes for a great surprise. (Photo: ©CPA, PacificCoastNews.com)
Photo By CPA
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“If I Was a Bird” - At some point crooning about love can feel a little forced. And that’s the case with the song “If I Was a Bird.” Over a skipping 808 beat sprinkled with lilting harp notes, Fantasia tells her beau if she was TRULY fed up with his mess, she’d be out… flying like a bird, of course. (Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images)
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“Without Me” - “You really gone make me expose you for exactly what you are.” This is how Fantasia starts off “Without Me.” In a scenario where her man is claiming he is the author of the fabulous life she’s provided for him, Fantasia sets the record straight backed by a drippy (yet tolerable) 808 rhythm. In name of girl power, Kelly Rowland and Missy Elliott jump in the mix. (Photos From Left to right: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images, Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET, Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
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“Side Effects of You” - Three years after attempting suicide with an overdose of aspirin and sleeping pills, Fantasia melodically confronts the root of the issue on the title track. “Was looking for a cure to pull me through,” she begins the heartfelt song. “Tried to decide what medicine to use. And every bottle had your name on the label.” The lyrics, while hitting the issue of drugging ones problems away, are impressively poetic. (Photo: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for Centric)
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“Get It Right” - This cut gives the LP an appropriate boost with some ‘60s-inspired rock 'n soul (ala Outkast’s “Hey Ya”). Once again, we hear Fantasia telling off her lover with lines like, “Tired of empty promises.” But with the get-up-and-go of this track, you’ll be more encouraged to dance to Fantasia’s rants about being done wrong. (Photo:Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for Centric)
Photo By Photo: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for Centric
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“So Much to Prove” - This big, bold and brassy track is the soundtrack to Fantasia getting strong in this tug-of-war romance. Over a stomping drum rhythm and rising horns, she demands more consistency from her man. “[You said] we would be forever,” Fantasia croons. “Don’t mean to let you down boy but it’s gonna take more than that.” Listening to the song, you can almost see Fantasia stepping toward her man to the beat. (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images)
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“Change Your Mind” - Fans of Whitney Houston will get a kick out of this song when they hear its reworking of the 1990 hit “I’m Your Baby Tonight.” For this song, about Fantasia whipping it on her beau (apparently things are smooth between the two on this one), she rewrites the chorus of the original, singing, “The things I’m gonna show you tonight.” Whitney would approve. (Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for The Jackie Robinson Foundation)
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“Lighthouse” - Finally, Fantasia gives her battle with love a break to confront another troublesome part of her life: the haters. Beginning the song with a stellar rhyme, Ms. Barrino sings over an infectious marching rhythm track, declaring that, through her very public troubles, she is an inspiration, a lighthouse so to speak. (Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
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