Animalistic

The album opens with the very catchy title track Animalistic. This is one of the best songs on the album. I immediatelly fell in love with the chorus as she says "I'm animalistic, smearin my lipstick, stretched like a gymnist, you better bring the jungle in the room cause I'm a bring the lion in the room." The thing about this song, Nivea has a drawl on her words. She stretches out certain words but it's not in an annoying way. The beats are hot and compliment her voice very well. However, it sounds more like she's talking or doing a Cassie-rap thing instead of singing. We then move onto first single in Japan entitled "Watch It." This is another highlight on the album and was the first new material I heard from Nivea. I was surprised to see that Nivea is now swearing on her album. She drops the "n-word" and the "s-word" but it's not that big of a deal. Once again, she has hot beats and this time, she sounds more like she's singing. While Nivea's voice isn't that powerful, she sings in her comfort zone, which is all people can ask. The video is sort of low-budget but I like it. I don't think this single would have faired very well in the U.S. but I do think it would deserve to. "Trapstar" is the next track and is pretty good. It features a guest appearance from an unknown rapper (which the album does more than once). This one is pretty catchy and I wouldn't be surprised if she kept this one from the U.S. release of the album. Once again, Nivea doesn't have the greatest voice but if there is a track to showcase her voice, this would be it. She sings higher than audiences are used to when she is vocalizing. "Serious" is an average-sounding track. It's not one of her standout tracks but it's definitely worth listening to. "Black Girl (Loose In Miami)" is another good track. The beginning is killer as Nivea goes through a little list of different types of girls during the chorus (black girl, white girl, mixed girl...). The chorus is probably the catchiest part of the song while the verses lack the "Nivea magic." Butterfly (All Of Me)" is the pretty song on the album. It serves as THE ballad on the album. It's not the only one but it's the best. She should keep this one or record some new ballads that will fit better. "Ooh La La" brings us back to the fire. This song finds Nivea asking boys if they can "make the girl go ooh la la la la." Once again, the chorus is killer but the verses fall short. Despite this, the song is still hot and would make a good single. "Get Your X" is definitely the fire highlight of the album. The verses and the chorus are on point. Nivea does drop the "s-word" more than a couple times but it's okay. Nivea tells a boy to "get [his] x" before she gets her herself. This should be the next single. "I.L.Y." is another ballad of sorts that is okay. It's not her strongest material and the beats aren't great. Her voice sounds nice though, so that brings the song up. There were only three songs that I consider "subpar." "Tell Me She's Nothin'" does not impress me. I feel a sort of pop-rock vibe from it and Nivea's voice is better suited for R&B/Hip-Hop songs. "Once I'm Gone" and "Georgia" just are fillers. I won't even say anything about them. When Nivea releases the album in the U.S. in 2007, some songs will be taken off and new ones will be added. A track entitled "Hood Girl" is set to be the first singe and features the amazing Lil' Kim. I can't wait to hear it. It is true that this album doesn't give Nivea much versatility like Complicated did and her vocals aren't as showcased as they should be, but Nivea is working really hard and I respect her for it.