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Bea Miller | Not An Apology
Label: Syco/Hollywood |
Release Date: July 24, 2015 |
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 |
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August 03, 2015
By Amaris Rodriguez |
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It’s a rare moment when a Radio Disney “Next Big Thing” artist gets my attention so color me surprised when I found myself actually enjoying their newest artist’s debut album. Bea Miller’s Not An Apology dropped on July 24th 2015 and has a great deal of potential to transform this 16 year old into the next teen sensation.
The former X Factor USA contestant, who finished in ninth place, has signed with Hollywood Records and soon began working on material for her grand debut. This debut came along in the form of Not An Apology. Just a quick glance at the track titles and you can already tell a difference between other teen singers and Miller, her edgy sound. In a time where boy bands are big and teen pop singers sing with a bubble gum sound, Bea Miller comes in like a modern day Avril Lavigne. Her sound is pop rock, edgier, and a little bit darker for what Radio Disney has been playing in recent years, yet still appealing to her target audience.
Her first single “Young Blood” received more than 150,000 views in its first week up on YouTube and also won her a Radio Disney Award for “Best Song to Rock Out to With Your BFF”. Bea describes “Young Blood’s” sound as “darkness and light within it” and that’s a perfect way of describing it. “But in the darkness when we close our eyes, it’s a nightmare…when the sun don’t shine we lose our minds, but I swear we can get there,” are lyrics that resonate with anyone who has ever gone through a hard time but is trying to come out on the other side.
Her next single and second track on the album, “Fire and Gold” has also proven successful. Her low, slightly raspy vocals have gotten her a spot on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles and will probably keep climbing up the charts. “Fire N Gold” has moments where Millers vocals are showcased pretty well but there is still room for Miller to really surprise listeners and push her vocals to the level that she is well beyond capable of reaching. While her tone is on the lower range she has proven she can reach those power house notes, something that could have really pushed tracks like “I Dare You” and the title track “Not An Apology” to their maximum potential.
Even still, Bea Miller keeps that pop rock sound throughout many more songs on the album including “Perfect Picture” and “Enemy Sound”. Although the songs have different meanings and stories behind them, the sound is still pretty consistent. The presence of electric guitars and drums is heard much like it is throughout the rest of Not An Apology.
When you first start to listen to the track “We’re Taking Over” the first thing that comes to mind is another generic self-empower anthem but Miller throws in a couple of lyrics that will surprise you a little. Lyrics like “this is for the ones who took their lives” give the song a deeper meaning and she also uses an interesting play on words with “chicks who like chicks and guys who like…chick flicks” that catch you off guard. Older listeners will hear that last play on words and think, well what we all thought she was gonna say. Still despite the interesting moments “We’re Taking Over” falls short compared to other songs on the album.
Then there is “Force of Nature.” One of the only songs to have a softer sound, it breaks up the rougher rebel tone that has been consistent up to this point. Bea sings about not wanting to fall for a boy and trying to do everything she can to avoid it. Eventually, and no surprise, she gives in because he is a “Force of Nature” that she cannot compete with. The lyrics are simple yet very well put together to create a rather pleasing love song. The melodies and instrumentals are a welcomed change from the rest of the tracks. Showcasing a softer side, Bea’s vocals are smooth and fluent throughout making it one, if not the strongest song on the album.
For her debut album, sixteen year old Bea Miller delivered a pretty solid album in Not an Apology. She manages to bring a bit rougher edgier sound to mainstream teen music while still being appealing to the target demographic. The album allows for her different style to come across and her vocals showcased. While it could have used more polishing and variety, Not an Apology does however put Bea Miller on the radar, which is a good place to be. |
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