by CHRISTINE ABRAHAM Photographer
Will.i.am, 38, released his album “#willpower” on April 23. “#willpower” named after one of his songs from the album, is reaching new horizons for the pop star, who usually sticks with electronic pop music.
Most of “#willpower” is considered to be more dance electronic than any of the studio albums he has ever produced.
Will.i.am co-wrote most of his album with Free School, Afrojack, Ingrosso, Angello, Lazy Jay, Freshmen III, Poet, Leroy,and Zack “GFG” Jones. Will.i.am is the head producer, but individual songs were produced by Dr. Luke, Benny Blanco, Cirkut, and Maejor Ali.
“#willpower” was released with three promotional singles: “This Is Love,” “Scream & Shout,” and “#thatpower.”
“This Is Love” was the first official single of “#willpower”. The track features vocals from Eva Simmons. This song is the first ever solo track by Will.i.am to reach number one in the UK. It sold about 102,000 copies in its first week and 403,000 copies overall in 2012. It was the 39th best-selling single of the year and it was in the top 10 in 17 countries worldwide.
This song is similar to most of his songs, having that great dance and electronic feel to it. The only difference is that Will.i.am really puts his vocals into it. He sings most of the song along with Simmons, making the track even better.
“Scream & Shout” features vocals from pop superstar Britney Spears. The music video premiered on “The X Factor”. It also reached number three on the Billboard Top 100 and became the first number one song of the newly established Dance/Electronic Songs chart. It also became Will.i.am’s first number one single, and Spears’ sixth number one. “Scream & Shout” is the victor of Billboard’s 2013 reader-voted March Madness contest.
This track is definitely not like any other. More electronic than any other song on the album, “Scream & Shout” is very upbeat and electropop, and you really it when Will.i.am and Spears bring their own vocal fire into it. It sort of has this powerful added feel to it. It is one of those songs you hear at a party, and you immediately get up to dance to it. That is what the song is about – a good time on a night out.
“‘Scream & Shout’ is my favorite song of the album yet. It is more dance and electronic than any other song on his album. I also love the part when Britney brings back ‘It’s Britney b****’. My favorite song by Will.i.am yet,” said sophomore Deanna Fisher.
“#thatpower” features Canadian superstar Justin Bieber who brings his sweet vocals into the chorus. The single sold about 108,000 downloads within the first week of release. Will.i.am performed this song at “Le Grand Journal”, “The Jonathan Ross Show”, and even “Dancing with the Stars”.
“#thatpower” is probably one of the best songs on the album. It is so upbeat and unlike any song I have heard. Will.i.am brings in some serious lyrical swagger into this mix, making it such a “feel good” song.
“I love ‘#thatpower’. The combination of Will.i.am and Justin Bieber is incredible,” said sophomore Jenna Babar.
“The World Is Crazy,” “Hello,” “Gettin’ Dumb,” and “Good Morning” are probably Will.i.am’s weakest songs of the entire album, sounding like all his old electronic music and a tad boring.
Other outstanding songs include “Let’s Go” featuring Chris Brown. It is mostly electronic with hints of pop music and is a party song that does not have much meaning to it.
“Fall Down” featuring Miley Cyrus is similar to “#thatpower” and “Scream & Shout” having electropop music, but rather approaching a more Urban contemporary sound.
Overall, “#willpower” is electric and upbeat. Most of the songs you would listen to on a night out partying. This album will definitely increase Will.i.am’s popularity with all his party songs and all the artists he features that makes each track so unique.