‘The Lady Killer’
(WARNER MUSIC KOREA)
Rapper, producer, lady killer.
Cee-lo Green presents his latest release in the form of a 50-minute getaway into the melodic rolls and dramatic falls of one suave talker.
In an interview Green noted that: “Isuppose this is a more clear, concise, consistent, conceptual, entire album. It’s a complete thought, because it’s written to be like a score. The album’s meant to be a motion picture, you know?”
As such, “The Lady Killer” opens with an intro, then sweeps into the fast-paced action that’s preceded the release for months online, via viral marketing. The first single “F-ck You” was leaked onto the Web, stirring fans into a frenzy for the anticipated release.
The upbeat, 1950s-style melody rings with a perfect contemporary colloquialism, telling the tale of a man spurned by his lover (and thus the title send-off). While some releases have been replaced with the euphemistic “Forget You,” it’s the original that carries the cultural punch of the times; any other alternative simply misses the point.
“I Want You” works as the montage point in the film while recalling Green’s crooning in Gnarls Barkley. “It’s Okay” sneaks back to decades past with a snappy intro, before falling into an “Old Fashioned” slow dance that rings with a certain nostalgia, as evident even in a subtly humored lyrical content. “My love’s old fashioned/so be it, I”m set in my ways/Hush child, just listen.”
The heavier “No One’s Gonna Love You” fulfills that need to hear Green’s soaring vocals set against a more melodramatic-epic rhythm, offering a cathartic chance at winding down.
The entirety of the release sees a string of producers coming in to direct Green, providing a bit of that varied entertainment that works into the diversity of the whole. Everyone from Fraser T. Smith (Keane) to Paul Epworth (Bloc Party) makes an entrance, with Green playing leading actor. Others include Jack Splash, Grey Area and even The Smeezingtons.
Though the effect shows only hints of a type of puppetry that lends to a frenetic whole, the album works as a time-hopping trip down memory lane, in possibly the most entertaining way possible: led by the hand of a smooth-suited lady killer.
Why we recommend it: Cee-Lo’s return to solo releases reminds that he needs no accompaniment to turn up the charm.
Best tracks: “F-ck You,” “No One’s Gonna Love You”
Three-and-a-half stars out of four.
— INES MIN