Wynter Gordon may have only seen a small amount of success in the US as a featured guest on Flo Rida’s top five hit, “Sugar”, and as a writer for other artists such as Jennifer Lopez and Mary J. Blige, but the young singer is making a name for herself with the upcoming release of her debut album, With the Music I Die. Released only in Australia at the moment, the project already contains three top three singles on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Songs, one of which hit number one: “Dirty Talk”, “Til Death” and “Buy My Love”. Gordon’s sultry vocals and unique dance/pop sound are reasons why people should prepare themselves for the release of this interesting album.
The album starts off with second single, “Til Death”, which reached number three on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Songs chart. The track is loud and full of energy, exactly what an original dance song should be. What keeps the song from being another generic piece are the clever lyrics and Gordon’s impressive vocal range. Who doesn’t love a well-written song you can pump your fists to when you go out? My first taste of Gordon was on the naughty, up-tempo first single, “Dirty Talk”, that showed the artist’s playful side. The main highlight for the track is the lyrics, that sometimes fall on the border of raunchy, but it never becomes too much. The production adds a house beat that takes the song to a whole new level. I knew Gordon would receive the recognition she deserved after listening to this amazing club track. The fast-paced, pop vibe continues with “Don’t Stop Me”, a song discussing the love that Gordon has for a particular man in her life. The artist sings she is sure to melt the heart of the person she wants, so don’t stop her once she gets started. The track may not be as great as the songs that preceded it, but it still contains one killer chorus that will please any audience. Current single, “Buy My Love”, is a cute and carefree song reminiscent of 80s pop that brings a different sound for the artist and the album. Gordon seems to just want a sugar daddy as she tells men that the only way to her heart is with their bank account. Even though the track is not the most addictive single, it has impressive moments buried throughout, making it something new and different. “Still Getting Younger”, rumored to be the album’s fourth single, is a track that really shows off the raw vocal talent that Gordon has. The song contains a slower beat and more of a tranquil feel; it could almost be the ballad for the project. I am glad to see that the artist can do more than club-friendly pop tracks; no wonder artists wanted her to write love songs for them.
On the second half of the album, “Drunk on Your Love” starts off with a bit of a stumble. The line, “like honey to a bee, that’s what you do to me”, had me expecting a train wreck, but the song picked up to become another good addition for the album. One problem would be that it does sound like a piece that has already been done before. Drugs as a metaphor for love seems to be a little dated. The album continues with “All My Life”, another soft, cute song dealing with the issue of love. The progression of the song is a quality that should be commended, but the song is saved when Gordon repeats the title for the chorus so effortlessly. The track is nothing too amazing or special, but it shows that the artist has consistency, something that is needed in the music industry. Chris Brown collaborator, Kevin McCall, comes on as a featured guest on the album as he helps Gordon on “Rumba”, a feisty track of desire. I can see countless remixes for the song and would not be surprised if it comes across in the clubs. The two artists show some chemistry which is always a good sign. The song’s short length is my only small problem with the lovely final product. “Back To You” drops all the over the top production and focuses on the impressive vocal performance that Gordon delivers. The artist almost seems hurt and vulnerable as she sings of heartbreak, not to mention the notes that she is able to hit. The song is simple, short and sweet, done with ease. The track will surely gain the artist a bigger following once they hear her tap into her full potential. The album closes with “In The Morning feat. Robbie Rivera”. The album opened up loud, it seems right for it to finish up with another ballad-type track which allows the project to come full circle. Gordon once again gives another perfect performance as she sings over a strong beat provided by Rivera. The artist compares to love as a game, a game that her partner seems to always lose at terribly. The closing track is just breathtaking.
With the Music I Die is a solid, cohesive debut album from an artist that was always helping other singers succeed when it came to great songwriting. When it came to tracks that dealt with love, heartbreak and sex, it seems that Gordon kept the great material for herself and it works. Influences from the pop, dance, and R&B genres come together to form an album that starts off strong, loses a bit of steam in the middle, but ends back on top. Gordon proves that she is a talent that needs to be recognized. The artist’s impressive vocals are a real highlight, as is the near perfect production and well-written lyrics. The album receives an 84%.
Tracks to Hear: “Til Death”, “Dirty Talk”, “Rumba” and “Back To You”
Wynter Gordon - Til Death
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