I’m going to sit this one out; looking at the massive pile of albums being tossed around in the chat, I honestly couldn't figure out which one I was actually supposed to download, so I think I'll just skip 😳
I found this album to be a bit mediocre overall, mostly because there are just too many filler tracks. In my opinion, it would have been much more impactful to release a shorter project where nearly every song hits the mark, rather than piling on so much material that half of it feels tedious or unnecessary. I also personally would have preferred a few less ballads, though that's really just a matter of taste. On the bright side, his technical ability is impressive; he’s a talented vocalist with a wonderful range and a really lovely tone.
17. run - really solid stuff, though I felt the ending dragged on just a bit too long; if they'd wrapped things up around the 4:40 mark, the whole track would have stayed engaging instead of feeling a little repetitive toward the finish. Still, a very strong effort. 8.5/10
15. Forgive me? Honestly, that sounds like way too much work. I don't think I can bring myself to do it. To be fair, the chorus is actually pretty catchy, which is probably the only thing keeping this track afloat. I’d give it a 5.5/10.
14. A moment like this—to be honest, it was a bit of a slog through the middle; I actually drifted off for a second there. It wasn't until things picked up halfway through that I really woke up. I'm a fan of the choir, though. 5.5/10
13. Footprints in the Sand - does anyone else feel like this is a total rip-off of Whitney and Mariah Carey? It starts off a bit slow, but as it picks up steam, it actually gets quite good. I'd give it a 7.5/10.
12. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face — there’s just something about this song that hits differently. While the cover is certainly decent and the vocal performance was truly exceptional, it didn't quite manage to eclipse the original or reach that same legendary tier for me. 9/10
11. The Best You Never Had - It’s just a hair below Bleeding Love and Take a Bow, but it still hits all the right notes. If I were producing it, I might trim those last thirty seconds to keep the momentum going, but overall, it’s a solid 8.5/10.
10. I'm you - vocal is absolutely stellar, from how they play through the instrument itself to the harmonies (even if they aren't present throughout), though I found the instrumentation a bit grating at times. For the overall impression, I’d give it a 5/10
9. > feels like another attempt at that signature Mariah Carey sound; while the vocals are certainly solid, the whole thing just feels a bit too predictable for my taste. It's decent enough, but honestly, I found myself checking the clock. Next! 5/10
8. Angel - honestly, it’s a bit much. While the vocals on "here i am - vocal" are actually quite impressive, the track itself just doesn't grab me, so I'll pass. 4/10
I think "will be" falls into that category of pop-rock ballads we see everywhere these days; there’s plenty of them out there, which makes it feel a little uninspired at times, though it isn't bad by any means. I'd give it a solid 6.5/10.
5. Yesterday’s performance was actually quite lovely; her vocals were truly impressive, especially since the song felt like a total tribute to Mariah Carey. While the rest of the arrangement didn't quite grab me, it was still a solid listen overall. I'd give it a 6/10.
3. Homeless - I really love the vibe this track creates. Even though I don't focus much on the lyrics, there's just something about the vocal performance and the way it's delivered that pulls me in. Honestly, if you stripped it down to an instrumental, it would make a perfect cinematic soundtrack for a movie scene. 6/10
2. Whatever It Takes - the chorus definitely hits those sweet spots and the vocal performance is absolutely top-tier, but beyond that? It just falls a bit flat for me. 5/10
1. Regarding Bleeding Love—I honestly feel like that instrumental intro and all that extra vocalizing at the start feels a bit unnecessary. I would have much preferred if she had just jumped straight into the heart of it with those "closed up..." lyrics, but aside from that minor gripe, the song itself is absolutely fantastic. 10/10