//Neon Reviews: Keri Hilson – In A Perfect World…//
Interscope Records may have given her a record deal as soon as they got word of her as she raps in the intro to her debut album, but it’s been a struggle for Keri Hilson to make the transition from your favorite artists’ songwriter behind the scenes to the artist in the forefront.
Keri was not unfamiliar with being positioned highly on the Billboard charts–but only under the songwriting credits of some major hits. That is until producer and mentor Timbaland released the Hilson-featured The Way I Are in 2007. The song topped the charts around the world, and it seemed like the perfect time to capitalize on the exposure.
But alas, the team was wrong. For whatever reason, the subsequent singles Keri released flopped commercially. With a backing team that includes Tim and notoriously cocky rapper/producer Polow Da Don, a couple under-performing singles weren’t going to stop Hilson. The persistence paid off big time in the form of a top 20 hit with Turnin’ Me On which features the ubiquitous Lil Wayne. With the stage set, after many delays, Hilson’s first full length album, In A Perfect World…, will finally be released March 24.
The album is an enjoyable 15-song set of bass bumping up-tempos, synth-heavy pop jams, and smooth R&B mid-tempo cuts. Hilson is more than a capable singer. Her voice is immensely pliable–she fairs well on hip-hip tinged songs where she “rap sings” like Turnin’ Me On and the Keyshia Cole/Trina featured women’s anthem Get Your Money Up, but she can also give the Beyonces and Mariahs of the world a run on songs like Knock You Down where she trades verses with Ne-Yo and Kanye West, and the Prince-influenced Slow Dance.
But that’s not to say pliability is always a good thing. It also makes it hard for Keri to carve out a clear voice that will be uniquely hers. None of the material or the way in which Keri delivers it screams “this is a Keri Hilson song and ONLY a Keri Hilson song.” Ciara could easily pull off Slow Dance, Rihanna could have a hit with Return The Favor, and Beyonce could do unimaginably great things to Make Love. But that shouldn’t be held against her just yet — it is usually a problem that is worked out by an artist’s second album. So for now Keri’s world is damn good, but not yet perfect.
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GREAT, GREAT, GREAT REVIEW..LOVES THE ENDING…DAMN GOOD BUT NOT YET PERFECT…Loves the album cant wait to buy it im anticipating it like crazy..ever since riri has taken her lil break (which is much needed) ive been hooked on Keri….Hope she @ least goes gold with this album and debut in the top 10…..
WOW.. sounds great! I wanna listen to it the new song sounds great..but just like you said her songs sound like other peeps can sing it..like Knock You Down sounds like it could be a Ne-Yo song. I still love the song and I love all her singles except for Turnin Me On.. but I think this album is one I can jam to.