It’s been five years since a German teenager named Lena Meyer-Landrut slipped into a little black dress and won Eurovision with her catchy song “Satellite”. A year later she presented a sultrier version of herself with “Taken By A Stranger” en route to securing another Top 10 placing. Now Germany’s sweetheart is all grown up and giving us an even more mature sound on her fourth studio album “Crystal Sky”. Catchy, edgy and everything in between, the album proves Lena didn’t stop winning in 2010.
Lena released the album’s first single “Traffic Lights” on May 1 and it’s undoubtedly a highlight. The music video begins with Lena sprawled on a white table. She rises like a fierce goddess to deliver the first chorus, leading into the second half of the video which shows her drop some glam choreography with a rather hot dancer. (Interestingly, it’s Lena’s abs that leave you saying wow).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=673WmFm8w_o
“The Girl” — the album’s opener — stands out as well. This number tells the story of a girl desperate to break away and live what and how she believes. It’s catchy and easy to connect with. Lena sings about being held back by expectations, but there is no doubt that she is meeting all of ours with this one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AWjWearbGo
While “The Girl” packs a punch and makes you think, “Keep On Living” and “All Kinds Of Crazy” are easy listening. In the latter, Lena articulates that we can be… we can be… all kinds of amazing. She’s not wrong, y’all!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZKbOYV7Aks
“Sleep Now” is a beautiful song. Lena casts an unearthly shadow, encouraging her lover to sleep and send his worries to the moon. The song has an ethereal beauty that is hard to capture. Unlike anything else on the album, it works and it werks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaLgDTyK9Tg
Along with “Traffic Lights” and “The Girl”, “We Roam” is the other standout track. Lena’s piercing vocals cut through an electro backing that’s dark, sexy and mysterious. Amid all the drumming and crashing symbols and synthesizers, you can’t help but snap along.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKsm53Gj5Nk
Eurovision fans will want to check out “Crystal Sky”. Just like “Taken By A Stranger”, it’s out of the box and unconventional. It takes a few listens to appreciate the many layers, but is a real grower.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY00ISaPgys
Unfortunately, the album loses its punch heading into the final stretch. “Invisible”, “Catapult” and “In The Light” all feel like weaker variations of the preceding songs. Even “Beat To My Melody” – which appears earlier on the album – feels like a less captivating version of its predecessors. The album never gets boring, but you can certainly be forgiven for thinking that you’ve heard all this before.
Score: 4/5
Is no-one going to talk about Back In Time?? Easily my favourite song of this album! 😀
Traffic Lights is the best one.I am huge fan of Lena
This is hands down her best album. It’s such a departure of her usual formulaic pop songs. This one is dark, moody and full of catchy beats.
I’m NOT fan of hers..
But i do like her songs…
I would not like to be friends with Lena but at least her music have a place in my mp3 player.. 🙂
Ahh, I love Lena’s style soo much! Amazing, amazing.
Finally! I’ve been waiting for you guys to review this album, it came out the same day as Conchita’s.
Honestly I never thought I would like something of Lena’s so much, her Eurovision songs were good but her two previous albums, not so much.
The sound may be a bit monotone in this one, but it’s cohesive and full of standouts. Traffic Lights, We Roam, Cristal Sky and Beat to my Melody are my favourites.
One song: Lifeline.
I wish a Eurovision winner would actually make it Big big. :[
Traffic Lights <3
Always nice to see new wiwibloggers on the team 🙂
My favourites on this album are Beat To My Melody, We Roam, Catapult and Home