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   Released: October 3rd, 2014
Format: Digital Download, CD, Vinyl
Recorded: 2012-2014
Genre: Pop, Electropop, Dance, R&B,
Length: Standard Edition - 48:28, Deluxe Edition - 56:27
Label: Studio60 Records
Writer(s): Isabel Merjos, Sunny Monroe, Phil N., George Reid, Aluna Francis, A.R. Rahman, Lilly Stuart, Isaac Lovelock
Producer(s): Gia Rose-Hilton, The Outsyders, Dominic Brown, George Reid, mISTER_b, Airemese "Rum" Smith, Dreamlab, Cirkut, Phil N.  All Eyes On Me is the fourth studio album from Pop recording artist and actress, Isabel, released on October 3rd, by Studio60 Records. The album serves as her second compilation this year, having released an EP earlier in 2014. Merjos has stated that the album was influenced by the likes of Britney Spears, Rihanna, and her own earlier music. Lyrically, AEOM focuses on Merjos and her new attitude on her life and career, showing her maturity as well as growth as a person and artist. There's also lyrics that hint at or briefly discuss her relationships and friendships as well as her new found acceptance with her fame. Musically, AEOM is an album rooted stylistically in Pop while incorporating elements of R&B, EDM, Electronic, and even alternative rock.
So far, the album has received generally positive reviews, some of who thank Isabel for delivering material that could quite possibly be on the same level or even better than her previous album, which received mostly positive reviews as well. Music critics have complimented her maturing lyrics and sound as well as the production quality.
The lead single, "Rule The World" peaked at number 2 on the charts. The second single, which leaked online, "What Comes Next" peaked number 1. Both singles were also released for mainstream radio and performed successfully there as well. The album has been promoted, so far, through performances on GMA: Summer Concert Series, Chaos VIII Awards, Jimmy Fallon and Just A Dose. Some upcoming promotion scheduled will be the FCA's, Walmart Soundcheck Concert, The Today Show and more to be announced. She has also announced the album will be followed by a world tour next year. After her third album, Isabel reluctantly took a break from music and began writing already for her upcoming album. "After going through a few break ups and friendships dissolving, it was a rough year. I just felt like after everything seemed to be up in the air, it was all crashing down around me." After seemingly disappearing from music, she returned in late 2012 to announce she was releasing her first EP in early 2013, "Release" and it went on to debuting number one. "I had been writing non-stop after Dancing In The Dark. I just felt like I had so much more to say, you know? And so I put some of the songs on Release because they were perfect for it, for what I was going through. The other songs....are like the aftermath. I mean, I just felt so happy after that EP was finished, like I recorded all my sadness into it. All Eyes On Me is, for the most part, mid-tempo with some good dance tracks and upbeat songs. I did save the ballads though because they meant a lot to me. Things that I wanted to say but just never really had the guts to say or had a reason to say, are on this record. That's why it's so important to me because this is as close to me as fans can get."
She announced in her Billboard interview, that she had in fact been working on an album after the release of her EP. She then revealed the album name, "All Eyes On Me" which she credits to her critics for giving her the idea of. "After my third album, you know all I was hearing was, 'Whatever you do after this, everyone will be watching. They'll be looking to see if you can live up to all the hype and demand of an artist' so I figured, why not name put together songs that show why I've gotten this far in my career and that I'm not just a one trick pony. It's a bit of satire throughout the album too because there are some songs on there I made that I knew would make people go, 'Wait, did she just say that?' because I know how I'm viewed. I really stepped out of my comfort zone on some of these tracks and got emotional, which happen to be some of my favorite tracks on the album. I recorded a lot of songs and cut them down the ones I thought best fit the album and what I want to be heard."
She also teamed up with some new producers and songwriters. "I love working with new people, just to see how they work and if they can somehow work with me and we can create something different. I worked with Gia because she's always my top choice of producers and Phil N. as well. Sunny, she's just a genius so I definitely wanted her on the album and then working with Dominic was fun. He's been in the studio a lot this year, working on other people's tracks and albums so I knew he'd give me the good R&B tracks. I had the chance to work with Rum of Rum & Coke for the first time and it was great. She's really artistic and has a great ear for music. Of course, mISTER_b is like a brother to me and he's always had my best interests at heart so it was just very fun to work with some familiar faces but then branch out to other people and tune up my sound."
Following the first single, a lot of people speculated she might shed her innocent girl image and start to take on more adult themes. "It's-majority of my purpose for this album has been to grow up. And I did, I really did. I grew mentally, spiritually, physically, emotionally. I'm definitely not the same girl that recorded Dancing In The Dark. I wasn't in the same frame of mind, I had more to talk about, more serious and heartfelt topics."  Musically, All Eyes On Me is mainly Pop but Isabel also explores other genres such as R&B, Dance, Electronic, worldbeat, and alternative rock. The first track, the album's title track, is R&B and Hip Hop as Merjos sings about 'starting the show' the metaphor used for her career and introducing the album. It includes a heavy bass, schoolbells, engine sounds, claps, and electro beats as well as hoover synths, synth handclaps, an Eastern-inspired tone and chants. The song has a rap-sing approach to it, as Isabel, who has rapped on previous singles before, declares her readiness for everyone to see what she's been working on stating, 'It happened on the 3rd day' referencing the release date of her album. Next is the heavily synthed, 'Rule The World' which serves as the lead single of the album. The matured lyrics about finding an equal mate who can keep up with her, oozes catchy lyrics and a feel good summer track. 'Catch Up!' is bollywood inspired, tribal electropop and worldbeat song with influences of indian music. The lyrics talk about being underestimated and rising above her peers who tried to slow her down.
'Love On Repeat', the track produced by Rum, is R&B and electronic, with synths and hand claps. On this song, there's a sense of sex appeal, as with 'What Comes Next' and both tracks have lyrics on being with a lover, sort of going through a cycle with them, even though they know it's probably not going to give good results but she enjoys the spontaneity in the relationship and it sort of works against all odds. 'One More Time' is an EDM inspired track produced by mISTER_b which lyrics tell about acting on that spontaneous feeling even if for one more time. 'Young & Restless' features hip hop rapper Isaac Lovelock, and is a dance pop track with horns and thriving percussion which makes you want to dance. The lyrics are a satire of how Izzy sees herself perceived by the media as being 'restless' and 'unable to stay in one place or with one person' over her career.
'Bounce Back' is a dancehall inspired track which talks about being able to return to her music career in such a forceful way. She also says the track is an inspirational message for her fans, as to not be discouraged by other people. 'All These Lights' is another song which plays on the metaphor of fame and her career. In the song, she talks about loving being in all kinds of lights, spotlights, etc and accepting her fame, knowing when to perform and when to not. The stomp beat also has elements of a rock pop song with heavy usage of synths on the chorus and half-rapped lyrics as in the first track. 'Say To Me' is a pop ballad produced by Phil N. It can also be described as a power pop song. It begins with a minimalist keyboard instrumentation, which puts emphasis on Merjos "anguished vocals" in which she sings about coming to the end of a relationship. Critics praised the track and called it one of her most powerful and strong vocal performances she's ever had. 'Collide' is an alternative rock track in which she sings about being pulled in so many directions of her career and being confused as to who she was. The song also features background vocals from a group of Izzybells who were invited to record the track as well as the ending track, 'Sincerely.' The second collaboration on the album features a dubstep track with vocals from Izzy and Eilidh Greene, who was also featured on Kourtney's 'In My Head.'
The track has breathy and sultry vocals from both singers and also peeks into Eilidh Greene's vocal range in which she gives high notes and harmonizes perfectly with Merjos on the other end. Lyrically, the song uses the metaphor of art in which Merjos refers to herself as inspiration for his art. The orchestral dubstep beat is one of the highlights of the track as well as the lyrics. 'In Remebrance' is another pop ballad which features an acoustic guitar and very minimal production where Izzy's vocals really shine as she sings about 'remembering' her old self and how much she has changed and grown. The last track, 'Sincerely' another power ballad, has influences of electro-rock and reggae. It carries a "celebratory, bumping Caribbean" groove and a marching-drum beat with shuffling dancehall influences. The instrumentation includes jittery keyboards, synthesizers, percussion and electronic musical instruments. The song also consists of electronic flourishes and looped riff patterns brought about by an organ instrument. Lyrically, Merjos states the song is a dedication to her fans for sticking by her side and being able to experience her happiness, her pain, and everything in between with them. The track also features fans voices in the chorus with the call and response style. Majority of the album focuses on going through change and breaking relationships with people but there are also moments of acceptance with her fame and all it comes with. "The album is just....an euphoric feeling of everything I've felt in the past 2 years, from my last album to now. I've felt happiness that I couldn't even explain how happy I felt. I've felt so sad and down and then I've been angry and just completely wanting to be done with everything and everyone. Some songs are filled with love and some with sadness or pain. It was fun to talk about new things and different things. I also love most of the songs because I can't wait to perform them. Songs like 'All These Lights' and 'Sincerely' and 'Young & Restless' especially. Two of them are so upbeat and will have some great choreography and other songs like 'Sincerely' will be my bonding moments with my fans." All Eyes On Me's themes range from love to heartbreak to fame to gratitude towards her fans and supporters. Most critics note the creeping up of her sex appeal in most songs, and appreciate the subtly without sounding too desperate and unlike herself. Rule The World
Released: May 29th, 2014What Comes Next
Released: July 02, 2014    Edited by user 28 October 2020 07:01:25(UTC)
| Reason: Not specified |
