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Upon its release, ''Girl'' received generally positive reviews. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[standard score|normalized]] rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an [[weighted mean|average]] score of 67, which indicates "generally favorable", based on 22 reviews.<ref name="metacritic"/> ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' magazine's Reggie Ugwu rated the album 85/100, and wrote that "like Williams' most recent hits, is a relentlessly positive and unselfconsciously joyful tour de force."<ref name="Billboard"/> Michael Cragg of ''[[The Guardian]]'' called ''Girl'' "an audacious, almost-concept album celebrating women and aiming to highlight society's gender imbalance."<ref name="Guardian 1st">{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/feb/21/first-listen-pharrell-girl-2014-album |title=First listen: Pharrell's G I R L |work=[[The Guardian]] |first=Michael |last=Cragg |date=February 21, 2014 |accessdate=February 26, 2014}}</ref> Andy Kellman of [[AllMusic]] gave the album four out of five stars, saying "Compared to his albums with N.E.R.D. and ''In My Mind'', this is easily Pharrell's second most enjoyable album, just behind the original version of ''In Search Of...'' from 2001. It's fun, frivolous, and low on excess."<ref name="AllMusic review"/> Barry Walters of ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' gave the album an eight out of ten, saying "That lighter-than-helium vibe is all over ''Girl'', the most audacious milestone in the Neptunes/N.E.R.D. icon's already storied career. As suggested by its title, Pharrell's second solo album follows last year's monster smashes for Daft Punk and Robin Thicke with a full-length both unabashedly feminine and neatly spaced-out."<ref>{{cite web|last=Walters |first=Barry |url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/pharrell-girl/ |title=pharrell, 'G I R L ' Review |publisher=Spin.com |date= |accessdate=2014-03-04}}</ref> Eric Henderson of [[Slant Magazine]] gave the album three out of five stars, saying "As Williams tells it, the ''Despicable Me 2'' team made him go through eight drafts before he arrived at the disarming, first-person charm of "Happy". ''Girl'' may have benefited from a few more introspective trips back to the drawing board."<ref name="slantmagazine1"/> Reed Jackson of ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]'' gave the album an XL rating, saying "''G I R L'' not only represents a proper representation of his creativity, but, with high-profile guest spots (Timberlake, Cyrus, Daft Punk) and a number of radio-ready singles, it should also be a success on the charts and further his reputation as a pop icon. Let the man’s hot streak continue."<ref name="XXL">{{cite web|last=Jackson |first=Reed |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/reviews/2014/03/pharrell-girl-album-review/ |title=Pharrell Continues His Hot Streak With 'G I R L' |publisher=XXL |date=2014-02-08 |accessdate=2014-03-03}}</ref> Andy Gill of ''[[The Independent]]'' gave the album three out of five stars, saying "It’s an enjoyable dance-pop album lacking a central focus. But one whose diffident charm makes a pleasant change from the overwrought wailing that routinely afflicts R&B."<ref name="independent"/>
Upon its release, ''Girl'' received generally positive reviews. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[standard score|normalized]] rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an [[weighted mean|average]] score of 67, which indicates "generally favorable", based on 22 reviews.<ref name="metacritic"/> ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' magazine's Reggie Ugwu rated the album 85/100, and wrote that "like Williams' most recent hits, is a relentlessly positive and unselfconsciously joyful tour de force."<ref name="Billboard"/> Michael Cragg of ''[[The Guardian]]'' called ''Girl'' "an audacious, almost-concept album celebrating women and aiming to highlight society's gender imbalance."<ref name="Guardian 1st">{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/feb/21/first-listen-pharrell-girl-2014-album |title=First listen: Pharrell's G I R L |work=[[The Guardian]] |first=Michael |last=Cragg |date=February 21, 2014 |accessdate=February 26, 2014}}</ref> Andy Kellman of [[AllMusic]] gave the album four out of five stars, saying "Compared to his albums with N.E.R.D. and ''In My Mind'', this is easily Pharrell's second most enjoyable album, just behind the original version of ''In Search Of...'' from 2001. It's fun, frivolous, and low on excess."<ref name="AllMusic review"/> Barry Walters of ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' gave the album an eight out of ten, saying "That lighter-than-helium vibe is all over ''Girl'', the most audacious milestone in the Neptunes/N.E.R.D. icon's already storied career. As suggested by its title, Pharrell's second solo album follows last year's monster smashes for Daft Punk and Robin Thicke with a full-length both unabashedly feminine and neatly spaced-out."<ref>{{cite web|last=Walters |first=Barry |url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/pharrell-girl/ |title=pharrell, 'G I R L ' Review |publisher=Spin.com |date= |accessdate=2014-03-04}}</ref> Eric Henderson of [[Slant Magazine]] gave the album three out of five stars, saying "As Williams tells it, the ''Despicable Me 2'' team made him go through eight drafts before he arrived at the disarming, first-person charm of "Happy". ''Girl'' may have benefited from a few more introspective trips back to the drawing board."<ref name="slantmagazine1"/> Reed Jackson of ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]'' gave the album an XL rating, saying "''G I R L'' not only represents a proper representation of his creativity, but, with high-profile guest spots (Timberlake, Cyrus, Daft Punk) and a number of radio-ready singles, it should also be a success on the charts and further his reputation as a pop icon. Let the man’s hot streak continue."<ref name="XXL">{{cite web|last=Jackson |first=Reed |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/reviews/2014/03/pharrell-girl-album-review/ |title=Pharrell Continues His Hot Streak With 'G I R L' |publisher=XXL |date=2014-02-08 |accessdate=2014-03-03}}</ref> Andy Gill of ''[[The Independent]]'' gave the album three out of five stars, saying "It’s an enjoyable dance-pop album lacking a central focus. But one whose diffident charm makes a pleasant change from the overwrought wailing that routinely afflicts R&B."<ref name="independent"/> Robert Copsey of [[Digital Spy]] gave the album four out of five stars, saying "The Motown-funk sound that dominates most of G I R L was always going to be a given after the success of 'Get Lucky' and 'Blurred Lines', but what is surprising is its lyrical content, which is celebratory of women's power and sexuality, unlike his Robin Thicke collaboration. Fortunately, such big names never manage to overshadow the presence of Pharrell, whose radiating passion and positivity is the real star of the show."<ref>[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/review/a554613/pharrell-williams-g-i-r-l-album-review-uplifting-rb-funk.html Pharrell Williams G I R L album review: 'Uplifting R&B-funk' - Music Review -] [[Digital Spy]]</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==

Revision as of 11:49, 5 March 2014

Untitled

Girl (stylized as G  I  R  L) is the second studio album by American recording artist and record producer Pharrell Williams. The album was released on March 3, 2014, through Williams' label I Am Other and Columbia Records. Girl is Williams' first album since his 2006 debut, In My Mind.

The lead single of Girl is the Academy Award-nominated song "Happy", from the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack. The album contains appearances by Kelly Osbourne, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Miley Cyrus, Daft Punk, JoJo, Alicia Keys, Tori Kelly and Leah LaBelle.[1] Reviews of the album from music critics have been positive.[2]

Background

Williams provided vocals for French duo Daft Punk's 2013 album Random Access Memories. After he returned from the Paris recording sessions, he attended a meeting with record label managers, who said that the results were "spectacular" and that "Get Lucky" would be Daft Punk's next single. They also made Williams an offer to record his own album, to which he agreed quickly, "overwhelmed that someone wanted to know what's in my heart."[3]

On December 17, 2013, it was announced that Williams had signed to Columbia Records and would release his second studio album in 2014.[4] In December 2013, press release Rob Stringer, Chairman of Columbia Records, said, "When we excitedly partnered with Pharrell in January of this year, we felt it was his time again. Since then, 'Blurred Lines' and 'Get Lucky' have defined pop music in 2013, and now we are preparing to launch Pharrell as a global solo superstar in 2014. 'Happy' is just the beginning."[4]

On February 18, 2014, Williams unveiled a trailer for the album.[5] The next day, Williams said in a statement, "When Columbia Records presented me with the opportunity to make an album, three things came to mind, One was the sense of overwhelming honor that I felt when I realized that they were interested in partnering with me on the album that I had always dreamt of making. Two, it would have to feel festive and urgent. And three, I instantly knew it would be called G I R L. I hope you like it."[6]

Concept

Called feminist "almost-concept" album in early reviews,[7] Girl is Williams' attempt to "eliminate what he sees as an understandable degree of uncertainty over what his attitude to women actually is." He said that he felt the need to clarify himself in the wake of "Blurred Lines" controversy, as with the song's "questionable lyrics, and the nature of the aesthetic of the video, it's easy to get confused about that."[3][8] Williams also stated, "There's an imbalance in society, in my opinion, and it's going to change. A world where 75 per cent of it is run by women – that's a different world. That's gonna happen, and I want to be on the right side of it when it does."[3]

Interviewed by Zane Lowe backstage at the 2014 BRIT Awards, Williams specified that the capitalization and double-spacing of the album title is deliberately designed, "because when you look at it, it looks a little weird [...] because society is a little unbalanced." He also added that he wished to honor the female figures that had been part of his life by making the record.[9]

Music and lyrics

The albums first single "Happy" is a neo soul and funk song that Williams sings in a falsetto singing tone.[10] "Come Get It Bae" features guest vocals from Miley Cyrus, the song is a funk song with playful beat,[11][12] Lyrically the song is based around sex and the metaphor "you want to ride my motorcycle?" serving as an innuendo for sex.[13]

Singles

"Happy" was released as the lead single from the album on November 21, 2013; the song was originally written for and included on the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack.[14] On November 24, 2013, Williams released the first 24-hour music video for "Happy". Guest appearances included Magic Johnson, Steve Carrell, Jimmy Kimmel, Jamie Foxx, Steve Martin, Odd Future, Miranda Cosgrove, Janelle Monáe, and many others.[15] The song has been commercially successful, peaking at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, topping charts in 15 other countries, and reaching top 10 positions in several more. It received a nomination for Best Original Song at the 86th Academy Awards, and Williams performed the song live at the ceremony on March 2, 2014.[16]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic67/100[2]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[17]
The A.V. ClubB[18]
Billboard85/100[19]
Chicago Tribune[20]
Entertainment WeeklyB[21]
Fact[22]
The Guardian[23]
The Independent[24]
Spin8/10[25]
Slant Magazine[26]

Upon its release, Girl received generally positive reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 67, which indicates "generally favorable", based on 22 reviews.[2] Billboard magazine's Reggie Ugwu rated the album 85/100, and wrote that "like Williams' most recent hits, is a relentlessly positive and unselfconsciously joyful tour de force."[19] Michael Cragg of The Guardian called Girl "an audacious, almost-concept album celebrating women and aiming to highlight society's gender imbalance."[7] Andy Kellman of AllMusic gave the album four out of five stars, saying "Compared to his albums with N.E.R.D. and In My Mind, this is easily Pharrell's second most enjoyable album, just behind the original version of In Search Of... from 2001. It's fun, frivolous, and low on excess."[17] Barry Walters of Spin gave the album an eight out of ten, saying "That lighter-than-helium vibe is all over Girl, the most audacious milestone in the Neptunes/N.E.R.D. icon's already storied career. As suggested by its title, Pharrell's second solo album follows last year's monster smashes for Daft Punk and Robin Thicke with a full-length both unabashedly feminine and neatly spaced-out."[27] Eric Henderson of Slant Magazine gave the album three out of five stars, saying "As Williams tells it, the Despicable Me 2 team made him go through eight drafts before he arrived at the disarming, first-person charm of "Happy". Girl may have benefited from a few more introspective trips back to the drawing board."[26] Reed Jackson of XXL gave the album an XL rating, saying "G I R L not only represents a proper representation of his creativity, but, with high-profile guest spots (Timberlake, Cyrus, Daft Punk) and a number of radio-ready singles, it should also be a success on the charts and further his reputation as a pop icon. Let the man’s hot streak continue."[28] Andy Gill of The Independent gave the album three out of five stars, saying "It’s an enjoyable dance-pop album lacking a central focus. But one whose diffident charm makes a pleasant change from the overwrought wailing that routinely afflicts R&B."[24] Robert Copsey of Digital Spy gave the album four out of five stars, saying "The Motown-funk sound that dominates most of G I R L was always going to be a given after the success of 'Get Lucky' and 'Blurred Lines', but what is surprising is its lyrical content, which is celebratory of women's power and sexuality, unlike his Robin Thicke collaboration. Fortunately, such big names never manage to overshadow the presence of Pharrell, whose radiating passion and positivity is the real star of the show."[29]

Track listing

Girl
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Marilyn Monroe"
5:51
2."Brand New" (duet with Justin Timberlake)Williams4:31
3."Hunter"Williams4:00
4."Gush"Williams3:54
5."Happy" (from Despicable Me 2)Williams3:53
6."Come Get It Bae"Williams3:21
7."Gust of Wind"Williams4:45
8."Lost Queen" (includes hidden interlude "Freq")Williams7:56
9."Know Who You Are" (duet with Alicia Keys)Williams3:56
10."It Girl"Williams4:47
Total length:46:54

Personnel

Release history

Region Date Format Label
Worldwide March 3, 2014[31] Digital download, CD Black Lot Music, Columbia Records

References

  1. ^ a b Pharrell Williams, Girl liner notes (2014).
  2. ^ a b c "G I R L Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  3. ^ a b c Batey, Angus (February 21, 2014). "We Heard Pharrell's New Album & This Is What It Sounds Like". NME. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Pharrell Williams Signs To Columbia Records". Vibe. December 17, 2013. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
  5. ^ "Pharrell Williams unveils new album G I R L trailer — watch". Digital Spy. February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
  6. ^ "Pharrell Williams' Solo Album 'G I R L' Gets Release Date". Billboard. February 19, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
  7. ^ a b Cragg, Michael (February 21, 2014). "First listen: Pharrell's G I R L". The Guardian. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  8. ^ Gibson, Megan (February 21, 2014). "Pharrell's New Album G I R L Is All About Girls (In a Good Way)". Time. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  9. ^ "Zane Lowe with Pharrell Part I, Backstage At The BRITs 2014". YouTube. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
  10. ^ Rosen, Jody (June 7, 2013). "Pharrell – Happy". Rolling Stone. Jann Wenner. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  11. ^ Rose, Ashley (February 26, 2014). "Miley Cyrus and Pharrell's New Song "Come Get It Bae" Sounds Like "Blurred Lines"". Cambio. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
  12. ^ Williott, Carl (February 26, 2014). "Pharrell & Miley Cyrus' "Come Get It Bae": Listen To The 'G I R L' Track". Idolator. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
  13. ^ Kennedy, John (February 24, 2014). "First Response: 5 Things We've Learned From Pharrell's 'G I R L' Album". Vibe. Spin Media. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
  14. ^ "Happy (from "Despicable Me 2") - Single by Pharrell Williams". iTunes. December 16, 2013. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
  15. ^ 3 MOS (November 24, 2013). "Pharrell Williams Debuts 24-Hour Music Video for 'Happy' (Video)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 19, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ Blistein, Jon (February 4, 2014). "Pharrell to Perform at Oscars". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  17. ^ a b Kellman, Andy (March 3, 2014). "G I R L — Pharrell Williams". AllMusic. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  18. ^ Rytlewski, Evan. "Pharrell continues his one-man disco revival on G I R L · Music Review · The A.V. Club". Avclub.com. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  19. ^ a b c Ugwu, Reggie (February 25, 2014). "Pharrell, 'G I R L': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  20. ^ Greg Kot 10:24 a.m. CST, March 3, 2014. "Pharrell Williams album review; G I R L reviewed". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved March 4, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ Catucci, Nick (February 27, 2014). "G I R L Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  22. ^ "GIRL – FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music". Factmag.com. February 27, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  23. ^ Jonze, Tim (February 27, 2014). "G I R L: Pharrell Williams review – 'Wise enough to know what he does best'". The Guardian. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  24. ^ a b Andy Gill. "Album reviews: Pharrell Williams, Paloma Faith, Elbow, Drive-by Truckers, Robert Ellis, Nick Waterhouse — Reviews — Music". The Independent. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  25. ^ Walters, Barry. "pharrell, 'G I R L ' Review". Spin.com. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  26. ^ a b "Pharrell Williams: G I R L | Music Review". Slant Magazine. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  27. ^ Walters, Barry. "pharrell, 'G I R L ' Review". Spin.com. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  28. ^ Jackson, Reed (February 8, 2014). "Pharrell Continues His Hot Streak With 'G I R L'". XXL. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  29. ^ Pharrell Williams G I R L album review: 'Uplifting R&B-funk' - Music Review - Digital Spy
  30. ^ a b c d e f g Kaufman, Gil (February 25, 2014). "Pharrell Reveals Final G I R L Track List". MTV. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  31. ^ "G I R L by Pharrell Williams". iTunes. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
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