QUEEN OF ME
Shania Twain ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Shania is back with her sixth studio album, Queen of Me, which was released on Friday, February 3. She continues to defy expectations and genres, and gives us another solid body of work. Queen of Me is Shania’s most pop record to date (along with the red/pop version of her 2002 UP! album). There are traces of her more country influences throughout the album, but on this one, she’s serving dance floor ready track after track. Lyrically, there is a direct throughline from her earliest recorded songs such as “Hate to Love” and “God Ain’t Gonna Getcha For That,” to songs on this album like “Brand New” and “Pretty Liar.” She has a knack for turning a phrase on its head or even a cliché into something with more depth than ever anticipated. This album does what Shania does best – inspire and motivate. There’s plenty of room for anger and sadness, but she’s not going to let that keep her down and she’s not going to wallow in it. Instead, she’s taking charge and putting a more optimistic, positive spin on it to empower and uplift. This is an album to put on repeat filled with depth and fun. Buy / Download / Listen here > https://shaniatwain.lnk.to/queenofme Giddy Up! Writer(s): Shania Twain, David Stewart, Jessica Agombar, ROMANS Producer(s): David Stewart This is such a fun way to start off the album! It’s got Shania’s signature optimism and sass. It’s tailor made for dancing and singing along to as loud as you possibly can. Put some UP! in your giddy and Giddy Up! Brand New Writer(s): Shania Twain, Mark Crew, Dan Priddy, Wayne Hector Producer(s): Mark Crew, Dan Priddy Originally titled “You Prick,” the title was toned down a bit for a more subtle one to match the subtlety of the song. This is a great anthem for anyone who has ever had to move on from someone who was too arrogant, controlling, or obstinate. And now they’re better off – just like we are after hearing this song. Lyrically this is one of my favorite songs on the album. Waking Up Dreaming Writer(s): Shania Twain, David Stewart, Jessica Agombar Producer(s): David Stewart The album’s first official single! This is pop perfection. It’s full of 80s influence and infectious synthy goodness. The lyrics again show off Shania’s optimism. It’s impossible to be in a bad mood listening to this song. Put it on to pump yourself up – it’ll motivate you to follow your dreams and face the world. Best Friend Writer(s): Shania Twain, Mark Crew, Dan Priddy, Tom Mann Producer(s): Mark Crew, Dan Priddy A sweet, fun ode to best friends everywhere. Perfect to set to a reel, slideshow, or TikTok of a girls’ trip or a montage to your besties. It’s lighthearted and delightful. Pretty Liar Writer(s): Shania Twain, Adam Messinger Producer(s): Adam Messinger, Mark Ralph “Pretty Liar” is the reason Shania’s sixth studio album comes with a Parental Advisory - Explicit warning. Twainiacs everywhere are living for Shania calling out this “fucking liar” with “his pants on fire.” Her voice sounds ethereal on this track and I dare you not to sing along when you hear it. Just wait for the double entendres in the bridge! Musically, it's got a doo-wap vibe that works exceptionally well for the song. Inhale/Exhale AIR Writer(s): Shania Twain, Mark Ralph, Iain Archer Producer(s): Mark Ralph Picking favorite Shania songs on an album or in general is too difficult for me – but this is certainly a frontrunner for my favorite on Queen of Me. I’m a sucker for an inspirational tune with a catchy, uplifting melody – and that’s exactly what this song is. Inspired by a particularly frightening bout with Covid, Shania wrote this as a celebration of the air we breathe and everything that comes with that. I love the meditative bridge and we should all be asking ourselves “What you gonna do with that air?” Last Day of Summer Writer(s): Shania Twain, Mark Ralph, Jack Savoretti Producer(s): Mark Ralph This is a wholesome reminiscence of a crush that almost became more, but needed just a little more time. I see it almost as a follow-up to Now’s “Swingin’ With My Eyes Closed” and “Light of My Life.” It’s light and mellow and showcases the range of Shania’s beautifully changed voice in the final bridge and chorus of the song. Queen of Me Writer(s): Shania Twain, Adam Messinger Producer(s): Adam Messinger We all should aspire to the confidence of “Queen of Me.” This is another song that you turn on when you need that extra push of motivation to get out there and follow your dreams. The backing vocals and production are particularly great on this track. This song is the perfect title track as it captures the theme of the album in such a fantastic way. Got It Good Writer(s): Shania Twain, Mark Ralph, Georgia Barnes Producer(s): Mark Ralph Queen of dance bops! I’ve heard and read many comparisons to Kylie Minogue with this song and I totally concur. I need to be on a dance floor shouting out this one while dancing away my cares. Give us an even dancier remix and we’ll all be dancing queens. Number One Writer(s): Shania Twain, Eja Lange, Mark Ralph Producer(s): Mark Ralph I love that Shania co-wrote this with her son, Eja. It’s another dance track with some throwback disco sounds that feel modern with its EDM infusion. I can easily picture hearing a remix of this one in a gay club. It’s a sexy, groovy bop! Not Just a Girl Writer(s): Shania Twain, Mark Ralph, Wayne Hector Producer(s): Mark Ralph Our first preview of the new album was this song released along with the Netflix documentary of the same name in July 2022. I love how Shania captures so much of the criticism she’s received in her career with the lyrics of this one. She manages to turn that negativity into inspiration with a fantastically fun, soaring chorus. “I’m going places/I’m gonna rule the world” – and she absolutely has. The Hardest Stone Writer(s): Shania Twain, Tyler Joseph Producer(s): Tyler Joseph, Paul Meany, Mark Ralph I’m a fan of Twenty One Pilots and ever since Shania mentioned being a fan years ago, I’ve hoped for a collaboration. This song perfectly marries Shania’s lyrics and musical personality with the tones and vibes of a Twenty One Pilots record. Shania has always blended and transcended genres and this track showcases that she can still do so in unique ways we haven't seen yet. On Three (Bonus Track) Writer(s): Shania Twain Producer(s): Simon Felice, David Baron A surprising collaboration featuring Billy Ray Cyrus on background vocals. Both of these bonus tracks have a much more country sound than the rest of the album. It’s that perfect meld of country/pop that earned Shania the title Queen of Country Pop. This is a fun song about escaping with your lover and jumping right in. Done and Dusted (Bonus Track) Writer(s): Shania Twain Producer(s): Dave Cobb I keep getting the chorus of this song stuck in my head! It’s a foot stomping, clapping, country jam infused with a little gospel flavor. A woman scorned is breaking free and moving on without looking back!
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