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Review: P!nk - The Truth About Love [Album]

Sony/RCA // "A sensational testament to what makes Pink one of the most loved, adored and respected artists the modern music scene has seen"

by Ffion Davies +, September 16th, 2012 and has been Read 11893 times.
Last Edited by: Ffion Davies September 16th, 2012.

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There are plenty of bands that have decided to incorporate a colour into it. The White Stripes, Blue, Green Day, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd and of course, the lady with an exclamation mark as an ‘I’ – P!nk. Alecia Beth Moore, aka Pink, started out her career with R&B group Choice (believe it or not!) but her big break into the mainstream domain came in the year 2000 with her first solo single ‘There You Go’, a tantalising debut full of alternative guitar riffs, enveloped in blistering pop beats and bursting with Pink’s attitude and spunk, something that’s set her apart from her contemporaries for the last 12 years.

Pink was set to stand out and not conform to the industry standard other mainstream popstresses were symbolising. Her free spirit, ambition, determination and rebellious, tongue in cheek nature fed the starving girls who were craving a role model, enabling her to grow a global fan base and she quickly became one of the biggest sensations to hit the music industry. For all the girls and boys who didn’t ‘fit in’ to the popular stereotype, and my goodness, there were a massive amount of people who belonged to the ‘alternative friends groups’ at school and colleges, Pink was a role model and her music not only offered entertainment, but she related to a huge amount of people who did things differently.

I could spend hours typing an essay on the works of Pink, but as we’re all here to learn about her brand new album The Truth About Love, Pink’s 6th studio album (including her Greatest Hits…So Far collection), which has been greatly anticipated since her Funhouse album and tour, which I attended, and absolutely revelled in every single second of Pink magic.



Well, I know what you’re thinking, is it worth the wait? Is Pink’s hype and expectations all deserving? Of course it is! The Truth About Love is a sensational album, filled with cheeky modern day classics of anthemic quality, collaborations a-plenty, a range that not many other artists can boast, and a diverse anthology of alternative pop pieces of perfection that is a testament to Pink’s past and to her musical evolution. I’ve never come across an artist who’s grown and manipulated her style so much, yet still has her spunky roots still an imperative and obvious theme throughout not only an album, but her whole career.

In true Pink style, I’m going to shake things up. I’m not going to go through each individual track, in album order, that would be too easy. I’m going to split the album up into sections, reassembling the structure and develop a, shall we say, shuffled order to The Truth About Love. These are the categories for you 1. Collaborations, 2. Spunk 3. Ballads. Sounds good? I thought it would.

1. Collaborations

Just Give Me a Reason ft Fun.

What’s furiously refreshing about The Truth About Love is Pink has teamed up with some of music’s biggest artists, from a plethora of musical avenues, from Rap, to British Pop to up and coming indie sensations. This adds an awesomely playful dimension to the album, showcasing Pink’s utter talent paralleled with her versatility. ‘Just Give Me a Reason’ is a gorgeous anthem where Pink’s stripped right down, wearing her heart on her sleeve, and singing a duet with Fun. The back and forth narration of a simple story of a break down in a relationship conveys the raw emotion only felt by two people who are a part of the relationship. Their vocals and harmonising are effortless and works splendidly together, and the simple melody wrapping the whole story in a snuggly blanket of soothing piano and determined drum beats, reflecting the utter fortitude to overcome hardship sung by the two lovers.

True Love ft Lily Allen

After both ladies have taken some time to focus on being yummy mummy’s, they’ve joined forces and created a sure fire hit with ‘True Love’. The happy-go-lucky melody is awash with bouncing drum beats and springing bass lines, whilst the girls narrate the true, realistic version of a modern day love song, where the good times comes with the bad times too, but if you can manage to overcome them, then you’re sure to have found a pretty wonderful partner.

WATCH // 'True Love' (Official Lyric Video)

Here Comes the Weekend ft Eminem

Pink has worked with the notorious rapper previously, where Eminem released ‘Won’t Back Down’ in 2010, and now they’ve teamed up again on this equally as infectious offering. They’re a fantastic duo, as they’re both as daring as each other when it comes to penning lyrics and delivering an adrenaline fuelled burst of a song that’s definitely worthy of the hit of the repeat button a few times.

2. Spunk

Slut Like You

The second my eyes fell on this title, it instantly threw me back to the incredibly rambunctious ‘Stupid Girls’ single. The busy track is over spilling with dramatic beats, electronic tornados smashing into furious guitar distortion. Doesn’t sound very catchy, but you’ll just have to listen to it, as Pink’s playful revelations of being a ‘Slut Like You’ just adds an essence of euphoria and pure fun into the whirlwind of a track.



Blow Me (One Last Kiss)

The first single to be released from The Truth About Love was a wonderful reintroduction to everything that’s quintessentially Pink. It’s had an enormous amount of spins on the radio, and if you’ve not been living in a cave somewhere, you’ll have come across it in some way or other. Of course we wrote a full review of it, so let’s move swiftly on and you can check that review right here.

Walk of Shame

“One step, two steps, counting tiles on the floor. Three steps, four steps, guess this means I am a whore. Uh oh, hell no, how long ‘til I reach the door, fuck me, my feet are sore” – probably the best lyrics ever to start a song entitled ‘Walk of Shame’. The laughing whistling melody is a constant theme throughout the song, along with heavy distorted guitaring, making this a hilarious extract from the anthology, and I guarantee it will be blasted from student’s rooms when they see their friends shuffle home before the 9am lecture after a heavy night. I would definitely be the person blasting that music!

WATCH // 'Walk of Shame' (Official Lyric Video)

3. The Ballads

Beam Me Up

Ballades are something that Pink has mastered, the intrinsic details, swooning harmonies, the simplicity of the utter surrender to the overwhelming emotions that takes hold at times. ‘Dear Mr. President’ is one of the most influential ballads of the last decade, and a song that narrates a huge story that is relevant to many people, especially in the gay community. ‘Beam Me Up’ is of the same calibre. The soft acoustic guitar, manipulated by the sensational music craftsman is the perfect accompaniment to Pink’s serenade. Pink discloses her sheer desire to be taken away and is willing to submit herself completely, and the glorious tones of her husky voice complements the melting strings and melancholy melody spectacularly.

LISTEN // 'Beam Me Up'

Try

‘Try’ is the next single rumoured to be released, and it’s a bit more of an attitude filled ballade. There’s determination to work on a relationship that’s flaking, the powerful distorted guitar and dancing electronic moments that’s sprinkled amongst the authoritative beats makes this a full, power ballad. Pink continuously asks us questions, willing us to work through the pain and “get up and try”. It’s a moving and commanding track, and takes the ballad and spins it on its head as instead of the usual surrender to pain by the other half of the relationship, Pink urges you to take control and be empowered. You’re also part of the success, take responsibility and try.

The Great Escape

This is the last track on the album, and a glorious ending to such a fantastic album. An authoritative piano is mastering the melody, whilst sweeping strings hover above, creating a haunting nostalgic feel to yet another incredible Pink ballad. Her ability to convey in song the most complex feelings that we can experience is utterly stunning, divulging the intricate pieces of the most intangible love story, and making it sound like the simplest story ever told. Pink’s relentless ambition, whatever she might want to overcome or fix or learn, is reflected beautifully in this track, and this is so empowering.

LISTEN // 'The Great Escape'

The Truth About Love is here, and it’s one of the most exciting albums this year, and a sensational testament to what makes Pink one of the most loved, adored and respected artists the modern music scene has seen. Pink has compiled a collection of fascinating tracks, a spectrum of spirit right through to the core of love, passion and desire. Over the last decade Pink has allowed us into her very soul, sharing secrets and stories from all avenues she has walked down during her life. Now she’s a mother, experiencing a different kind of love, and a love just as overpowering, magical and extraordinary as any other, and she’s certainly told us the Truth About Love in this ensemble of wonderful tales. Be sure to listen to her carefully, and you’ll learn the truth about love too.

The Truth About Love is out September 17th

Tracks Worth Checking Out

• Beam Me Up
• The Great Escape
• Walk of Shame
• Slut Like You
• Try
• True Love