Album Review: JLS - Evolution

Evolution

Coming second place behind Alexandra Burke in 2008's X Factor has seen boy band royalty, JLS move onto their fourth release within their four year career span whilst Alex fails to sell a few units of Heartbreak On Hold.....Anywhooo, Alex isn't the only one whose career is hanging on the edge; even though they broke the barriers in regards to the future of UK boy bands e.g. One Direction & The Wanted it seems that latter has been fortunate enough to enjoy success of both sides of the Atlantic in a shorter space of time. Could that have been the wake-up call to JLS to revolutionise their sound...or is it too late for 'Evolution'?

Track-by-track review after the jump:

1. Dessert (feat. Tiffany Foxx)
Judging by the name of the song automatically equates to the song to feature lyrics of a sexual content and indeed the Bangladesh-produced beat lives up to its name. However, the cheesy lyrics ("What's your recipe girl? Addicted to your ingredients"), the robotic voice along with the cliched Wanna lick you up and down somehow leaves a feeling of awkwardness until underground female rapper, Tiffany Foxx adds a little spice with her confident and freaky rhymes (Who you know is sweeter than your mama?/ Peach cobbler) making the song worthwhile for 30 seconds.

2. Hottest Girl In The World
Another Bangladesh produced song that was most likely borrowed from Justin Timberlake/ N'Sync's "leftover tracks" back catalogue. Apart from the slick harmonies and falsettos which they have proved to struggle with during live performances (esp. Oritse), there is really not much to say about this track. Brilliant idea to release as a first single as it give a good introduction to the new, 'evolved' JLS.

3. Have Your Way
Have Your Way manages to infuse the sounds of  a typical old skool R&B beat with today's "new skool" pop and R&B, creating a sense that the four piece are ditching their previous bubblegum pop sound. But throughout the song you would probably notice that it's Marvin who dominates the majority of the song whilst the rest come through during the chorus which is a change since Aston always manages to lead the vocals. Not my favorite but its a great album filler.

4. Hold Me Down
Definitely a stand-out track and a personal favorite. The empowering ballad, which clearly echos Boyz II Men (one of the main influences behind the album) manages to display their solo vocal talent as well as their soulful harmonies especially during their recent acoustic performances.

5. I Like It

Judging by the previews, I was really excited for this but listening to the full version has left me a bit disappointed. Even though the bridge and chorus catches on real quick, the TMS production seems really messy. I don't know maybe after a few listens, I may grow to like it.

6. All The Way

Yet another Bangladesh produced banger that would probably give Calvin Harris and David Guetta a run for their money. The club anthem hears Oritse constantly chant ("Let's go all the wa-ay-ay-ay yeah"), JB singing (a rare moment) and a robotic Marvin hook almost forgetting about Aston, who somehow slides in a few ad-libs towards the end. Moving along...

7. Give Me Life 

Another club stormer filled with steamy lyrics ("I need a supply of your mouth to mouth"). However it's nothing special.

8. Don't Know That

The Darkchild produced beat sees JLS seeking into their R&B roots once again showcasing their powerful harmonies and smooth verses. This one would probably have girls telling themselves that JLS are dedicating this song to them LOL, I wouldn't be surprised to be honest...

9. Troublemaker (feat. Bebe O'Hare)

Yet another song which JLS tries to prove that they can sing in falsetto however, this song is the definition of 'pop genius'. The collaboration with another American female rapper, Bebe O Hare is destined to be a hit single in the future; hopefully a single that could shed a light on their international success...

10. Gotta Try It

Thee ultimate slow-jam. YASS

Compared to their disgraceful previous effort, Jukebox, Evolution is a huge step-up in terms of sound and revolutionising their image. In a short space of time, JLS have clearly taken care of this project by recruiting the biggest US teams of production who have worked with the likes of Rihanna, Beyonce & even Michael Jackson and using their R&B music influences as a understandable inspiration, conducting an album that has been marvelously polished and executed incredibly.

One thing that seems to bother me is why have they only NOW just decided to produce such a game-changing album? Why did they decided to NOW record heavily R&B influenced tracks when that was what had led them through to the X Factor finals? Why are JLS going for a 'more mature sound' NOW? 

Why are JLS correcting all their wrongs NOW?!!!

It seems that JLS have come to terms that going down the pop route and later following the club/dance trail was never the appropriate path to go in the first place but now with One Direction slaying every country in the world in a blink of an eye and The Wanted slowly dominating overseas whether JLS will ever be able to catch a flight to another country to perform there is yet to be known. But I'm sure if their management and Epic pushes this project towards other markets, it can hopefully enjoy moderate success.

Rating: 4/5

Stand-Out tracks: All The Way, Troublemaker, Hold Me Down, Homeless Heart (Deluxe Version)

Worst Tracks: Give Me Life, Talk It Out (Deluxe Version), Single No More (Deluxe Version)

Album available NOW!!!

What do you think?

What are your favorite tracks?