Conor Maynard released his debut album, Contrast, in the United States on January 8 and it's not what you would expect to hear from the 20-year old who has been compared to Justin Bieber in the past. "I named this album, my first album, Contrast because I think there's a massive contrast in what people may be expecting from the album," he told MTV News. "I think that if people are expecting a very young, poppy kind of sound, it really isn't that. It's got very kind of urban, mature kind of sound to it." Here's Hit Zone's track-by-track review of Conor's debut album! |
1.) Animal
The album opens up with "Animal," a track with a great beat which is complimented by Conor's smooth vocals throughout. It sets the tone for the album because it's clear this isn't your typical teen-pop music. The music video for the song was released a few weeks ago and differs a bit from the album as it features UK rapper Wiley.
The album opens up with "Animal," a track with a great beat which is complimented by Conor's smooth vocals throughout. It sets the tone for the album because it's clear this isn't your typical teen-pop music. The music video for the song was released a few weeks ago and differs a bit from the album as it features UK rapper Wiley.
2.) Turn Around (feat. Ne-Yo)
Conor's current US single "Turn Around" is up next and it's the first of three collaborations on the album. Friend and mentor Ne-Yo joins Conor for this track that opens with a great piano hook. Great vocals and lyrics like "turn around, open your eyes, look at me now, turn around, girl I've got you, we won't fall down," make this song another smash and one of my favorite songs on the album.
3.) Vegas Girl
In the US, this is easily Conor's biggest song to date. The song blew-up on radio stations across the country last summer with its catchy R&B like chorus. He even pays tribute to superstar Rihanna in the song. It was one of my personal favorite songs last year and another one of my favorites on the album.
4.) Can't Say No
Although the US knows him primarily for "Vegas Girl" and "Turn Around," it was this song that shot Conor onto the music scene in the UK. The song, which peaked at #2 on the official UK singles chart, is full of lines that will stick out to you and have you wanting more such as "girls, girls, girls, I just can't say no," and "Houston, I think we got a problem."
5.) Lift Off (feat. Pharrell)
Conor's second collaboration on the album is with Pharrell, who he also co-wrote the track with. I personally really got a Justin Timberlake type vibe from Conor on this track. It totally sounds like a song that JT would have done back in the day, obviously not a bad thing. It's another good one!
6.) Mary Go Round
Starting with a sounds like you're at an amusement park, Conor sings about the struggles of a relationship and going round in circles with a girl in this track. Lyrics like "Go play with someone else, I'm getting off this ride," describe how he feels about this girl in the song.
Starting with a sounds like you're at an amusement park, Conor sings about the struggles of a relationship and going round in circles with a girl in this track. Lyrics like "Go play with someone else, I'm getting off this ride," describe how he feels about this girl in the song.
7.) Take Off
The beginning of this song sounds a bit like a song you would hear at the beginning of a movie. The track even features a "5, 4, 3, 2, 1" countdown to "take off" in the lyrics. It's another good song though and another one of my favorites from the album
The beginning of this song sounds a bit like a song you would hear at the beginning of a movie. The track even features a "5, 4, 3, 2, 1" countdown to "take off" in the lyrics. It's another good song though and another one of my favorites from the album
8.) Better Than You (feat. Rita Ora)
The third and final collaboration on the album is with UK superstar Rita Ora, best known in the US for her song "How We Do (Party)." It's a good song and the duo's voices sound good together as they take turns singing throughout the song and even name drop each other at the end.
9.) Another One
The influence of his favorite artist, Drake, is clear in this track as Conor goes for a more R&B sound on the song. He even shows off his foreign language skills by singing some French lyrics in the song like "voulez vous" and "merci beaucoup."
The influence of his favorite artist, Drake, is clear in this track as Conor goes for a more R&B sound on the song. He even shows off his foreign language skills by singing some French lyrics in the song like "voulez vous" and "merci beaucoup."
10.) Pictures
Written by R&B star Frank Ocean, this song continues the R&B feel. "I was always taking pictures, because I didn't want to miss you so bad," Conor sings showing a level of maturity throughout and great vocal range throughout the song.
11.) Glass Girl
Conor declares "I'm too young to be committed" in this track that gives the album more of a dark side with a touch of dub-step.
Conor declares "I'm too young to be committed" in this track that gives the album more of a dark side with a touch of dub-step.
12.) Just in Case
The final song on Contrast is a laid back track as Conor reflects on a former relationship. It's a nice, slow way to end the album.
The final song on Contrast is a laid back track as Conor reflects on a former relationship. It's a nice, slow way to end the album.
Final Verdict: 9/10 - The album is different from what one would expect from a 20 year-old pop star who has been called "the UK's version of Justin Bieber," but it's clear after listening to the album that Conor is definitely creating his own sound. He co-wrote 9 of the 12 songs on the album with some big songwriters and his influence in the lyrics are heard in songs throughout the album. It does exactly what the title says it does and shows a contrast of sounds. He's talented guy and this album really shows it.
Contrast is out now, be sure to go support Conor and pick up a copy today!
Review By: Joe
Contrast is out now, be sure to go support Conor and pick up a copy today!
Review By: Joe