Cee Lo Green, more famously known for his work as one half of Gnarls Barkley, is back with his third studio album, The Lady Killer, which dropped November 9. Ever since the first single from the album, “F*ck You” (or more appropriately titled “Forget You”), was dropped, the music industry was abuzz about Cee Lo, with good reason. The Lady Killer proves to be an album worth giving a listen. Cee Lo transcends the R&B label, with a sound that strikes as being more alternative. This isn’t Gnarls Barkley, and you won’t find anything similar to “Crazy” on the album’s fourteen tracks; however, that does not matter because The Lady Killer offers that great Cee Lo sound.
“F*ck You” is the perfect first single off of this album. It has by far the “poppiest” and funnest sound (and is great for all of your pre-games, Loyola), all while hitting us with a basic hate-your-ex message. This song is infectious; every single one of us has been scorned by a significant other, and this song is our revenge, our outcry to tell the ones that wronged us that we don’t need them anymore.
The second track on the album, “Bright Lights Bigger City,” is just as upbeat as “F*ck You” and just as solid as a track on The Lady Killer. This song takes what N’Sync’s “Friday Night” tried to do and successfully did it by creating the perfect Friday anthem. The lyrics of the song – Yeah I’m looking for some action / And it’s out there somewhere / You can feel the electricity / All in the evening air – have party emotions down to a science.
Even when the songs slow down, Cee Lo Green doesn’t skip a beat. In fact, the slower anthems perfectly balance the album, making it a cohesive project. Songs like “I Want You” and “Old Fashioned” express the sensual sentiments that Cee Lo himself feels. He’s not just going to sex you – he’s going to love you first.
The highest shining moment in the moment comes in a song that is not even Cee Lo’s to begin with. His cover of Band of Horses’ “No One’s Gonna Love You” is one that can be played on continuous repeat and it just might be – dare I say it – better than the original. While I am a fan of Band of Horses and I adore their original version of “No One’s Gonna Love You,” the work that Cee Lo has put into this song is phenomenal. It is not dramatically different – any fan would immediately be able that this is the same Band of Horses’ tune – but the soul that Cee Lo puts into the song as he croons the words is incredible and heartwarming.
Overall, Cee Lo Green’s album has the listener engaged from start to finish through the peppier numbers as well as the slower compositions. Cee Lo’s voice is as smooth as silk, and it adds to the sexy sound of the entire album. My advice? Go out and buy The Lady Killer. Immediately.
Recommended Tracks: Bright Lights Bigger City, I Want You, Old Fashioned, No One’s Gonna Love You
Overall Grade: 9/10
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