Pharrell’s new album acts as ode to women

McClatchy Tribune

Everything producer/singer-songwriter Pharrell touches turns to gold or platinum.

In this past year, he was featured on two of the most played songs on the radio: “Get Lucky” and “Blurred Lines.”

Daft Punk’s catchy disco-funk track “Get Lucky” reached the top-10 music charts in over 32 countries and has sold close to 7.5 million copies since its release.

Singer Robin Thicke enlisted Pharrell in writing and producing his hit single “Blurred Lines.”

“Blurred Lines” sold 6 million online copies in just 29 weeks, making it the fastest selling online song in digital history.

Lets not forget the song nobody can resist, Pharrell’s very own percussion and clap-driven track “Happy,” was featured on the “Despicable Me 2” soundtrack.

The song received an Academy Award nod for best original song and topped the Billboard charts in 16 countries.

Leaving 2013 behind with several chart-topping songs and seven Grammy nominations, the man of many hats – literally and figuratively – is back with his latest project “G I R L.”

The album opens perfectly with the upbeat track “Marilyn Monroe.”

Pharrell expresses to his diary that he just wants a “different girl.” The girl he sings about needs no adjectives to describe her because women like Marilyn Monroe, Cleopatra and Joan of Arc cannot even compare to her.

Frequent-Pharrell listeners know that he likes to have fun with his music, and that’s exactly what he does on the sexy jam “Gush.”

Pharrell sings about the lust he has for a woman despite the fact that his “Momma didn’t raise him that way.”

“I could be the guy to treat you to a nice movie, feed you. But I don’t wanna mislead you. Tonight, I think I wanna be dirty girl,” Pharrell playfully sings.

All fun aside, Pharrell also provides listeners with tracks that have deeper hidden messages.

The album’s centerpiece, “Lost Queen” stands as one of the best tracks on the album; Pharrell and one of the album’s secret features, Jojo — a lost queen of R&B — really shine together in this two-part track.

On “Lost Queen,” Pharrell compliments a woman by explaining how she is so supernatural and unreal that she must be from another world.

Pharrell sets the scene with, “What planet are you from girl? And are there others like you there? Though my planet’s full of warfare, you make it feel like a dream.”

He wants to remind her that she is a lost queen to boost her self-esteem and boost her confidence.

Just when listeners think the track is over the relaxing sound of crashing waves meets the ears, followed by the duo harmonizing about the importance of being unique to create a better life.

The album also features Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus, Daft Punk and Alicia Keys.

All of the artists featured bring something special and different to the album.

Keys is the one feature on the album who hasn’t had much buzz surrounding her name lately, but listeners are given a dose of her classic vocals on “Know Who You Are.”

The pair creates a feel-good tune with a funky island vibe that advises listeners to take the time to relate to others and lift them up when they are feeling down.

With a title like “G I R L” it is obvious the album will act as an ode to women. Pharrell really provides content for every woman out there and male listeners will enjoy the content too.

Pharrell hits the nail right on the head with this compilation and will most likely have a few more things to be happy about as the year plays out.

Anisca Miles can be reached at [email protected]