This morning Megan Nicole released ESCAPE, her debut album, and it is fantastic. Over five songs the YouTube sensation shows a tons of versatility lyrics, stylistically, and vocally. Listen above, via Spotify.
The succinct album opens with the lead single “Electrified,” where the twenty-one-year-old sings impressively, gushing over a blue-eye crush. The blazing synths mixed with the modern pop sounds are reminiscent of Carly Rae Jepson’s 2011 number one hit “Call Me Maybe.” “Electrified” truly has that type of smash-hit potential. It’s the type of song that can spur a full on dance party.
“Fun” is the second track and it does justice to its namesake. The light tune has an incredible catchy chorus. Like “Electrified,” “Fun” is total hit material because of its happy vibes. If “Electrified” is a dance party, then “Fun” is a pool party. After two songs the album is off to a magnificent start. But it’s the last three songs of the album show that the Katy, Texas native is more than just a hit-maker.
“Alright” takes the album in a completely different direction following two cheery songs. In the song, a ticked off Ms. Nicole sings about being deceived by a dishonest person while remaining strong through betrayal. On the uplifting chorus, she belts out, “Cross your fingers as you tell me your lies / I won’t fall, this is my last goodbye.”
Where many lesser artists might tail off at song number four, Nicole keeps it coming with the title track, “Escape,” which is a lot calmer than the previous songs. However, lyrically “Escape” shows the most soulfulness of any of the five songs. The song is about getting away from the world and the stresses it brings, and “going back to the place it began.” There is a certain gentleness and modesty to the slow song that is pleasing to the ears.
To cap it all off, Nicole gives us an ode called “Courageous.” The song does a great job of contrasting gradually, building verses to one heck of a powerful chorus. It’s a great way to end ESCAPE because it shows yet another side of Megan Nicole, an admiring side.
Nicole’s melodies are enthralling, and her voice is pitch-perfect. There is little doubt she is bound for big things, and we can’t wait for her to come out with more music.
You can order her album on iTunes and Amazon
