Tamika Alexander – Arts and Entertainment Editor –
Dawn Richard
“Goldenheart”
The New Orleans native has released her solo debut “Goldenheart.” As a member of the girl group Danity Kane and the trio Diddy Dirty Money, Dawn Richard showed off her vocal skills as an artist. Her unique voice set her apart from her group members. As a solo artist, she has shown why she always out-shined her band members in both groups. This album is very refreshing. It’s not an album like anything I’ve heard. It’s different, it’s clever, and I love it.
1. Intro“In the Hearts Tonight”– This was a great way to start the album. It built up my anticipation to hear the rest of the album. The words of the song are encouraging and self-assuring. Dawn’s confidence comes out in this song and makes me want to keep listening.
2. “Return of a Queen”– This song exemplifies her comeback and stepping back into the music scene now as a solo artist. She sings about reclaiming her royalty. Dawn is very aware of herself as an artist and that’s what this song is about.
3. “Goliath”– What a strong title for a song. The title, I think, is a metaphor for Dawn and what she has been through in the industry and in her life in general. The lyrics describe how she has one chance to win. In other words, she has one chance to show the world that she can be a successful artist.
4. “Riot”– I like this song because she grabbed my attention with a quote to start the song. It’s a love song. The beat is very techno. Dawn, I think, used this song to show her versatility.
5. “Gleaux”– I had to listen to this song a few times before I could come up with a review. I like this song. It’s different. It features the infamous handclaps in the beat which makes it an ear-grabber.
6. “Pretty Wicked Things”– This song tells a story. It’s very mysterious and eerie. During the hook the songs speeds up and goes into all these different mixes. I really enjoy the complex composition of this song. This is definitely one of my favorites on the album.
7. “Northern Lights”– Dawn also started this song of with some spoken words. The tempo of this song is very upbeat. It also features the handclap. This is a song you can move and dance too, one of the few on the album.
8. “Frequency”– This is another great one off the album. It’s sultry and sexy. Dawn shows her vocals and it reminds me when she was first introduced to the world.
9. “Warfaire”– This is a powerful song. It starts with some words spoken by Dawn about the battles and pain she had to endure throughout her relationship. I love any song that is relatable, and this is one of them.
10. “Tug of War”– This song reminds me of the previous song “Frequency.” It’s a sexy love song. This another one of my favorites.
11. “Ode to You”– Dawn is speaking to and of someone in this song. It’s another story teller that seems to be based off an experience in her life. It’s not one of my favorite songs but it’s also not a bad song.
12. “86”– This is another love song. It took me a few listens to actually get through the whole song. After I finally listened to the whole thing, I must say I actually like the song.
13. “In Your Eyes”– This is my least favorite song on the album. I was bound to not like one and it didn’t hit me until I got to the end of the album.
14. “Break of Dawn”– This song is one of self-reflection. It describes the battles that one has with oneself in regards to having a solid self-identity.
15. “[300]”– The songs on this album have lyrics that I have to piece apart and analyze in order to understand the meaning and this is one of those songs. After a few listens, this song grew on me.
16. “Goldenheart”– I thought it was weird that Dawn would end with the song that is the title of the album. The song has a slow tempo compared to the rest of the songs on the album. There’s simple piano playing in the background. The composition is simple itself but Dawn does more singing in this song that emphasized her vocal abilities.
4 out of 5 owls
