There’s plenty to like about Meghan Trainor’s first full-length album, Title. The set, which includes music from a previously released EP of the same name, serves up all the doo-wop sass that hooked fans on the singer-songwriter’s Grammy-nominated hit, All About That Bass.
Jump to almost any track on Title and you’ll find a similar juxtaposition of cheeky lyrics stamped over malt shop-inspired production. Unfortunately, therein lies the problem: by album’s end, it seems Trainor and Title producer Kevin Kadish have beaten their brand of shooby-doo flavour to death.
Sure, the throwback vibe has worked to set Trainor, 21, apart from her radio competition, and the sound works on second single Lips Are Movin’ and Dear Future Husband. But too much of that good thing turns out to be bad for the singer’s mainstream debut.
Title is still worth a listen, though doing so in one sitting is ill-advised. Trainor is the funny girl-next-door on Walkashame, she’s an example of self-acceptance on Close Your Eyes and she’s admirable — refusing to be friend-zoned — on the relatable title track.
When Trainor reaches, however, the results are painful. “Had him brushing his teeth, even flossin’/ got him looking like Ryan Gosling,” she raps on Credit. The cringeworthy lyrics are rivalled only by that on the horn-heavy Bang Dem Sticks.
Perhaps the most refreshing song from Title is the subdued Like I’m Gonna Lose You, featuring John Legend. Not only is it a nice change of pace sonically, but in a rare moment, the track gives Trainor’s vocals the main stage, without a catchy hook or quirky production yanking away the spotlight.
