Misery - Gwen Stefani

Finding New Sound From Years Past

Gwen has been making music for year, she is well experienced and it shows in her music, it shows a higher level of maturity compared to other pop idols. This is from her new album This Is What Truth Feels Like, and it is not bad at all and refreshing in various ways. Misery is the flagships song of the album, but other songs like Used To Love You and Make Me Like You are gaining momentum, the latter being on the radio while I was in the car. This song’s opening bass remind me of her strong early 2000’s and late 90’s work. Her voice is a little more natural compared to her last 2 albums, which is very welcomed. The building organ and string sections in the chorus are great while her voice stands in the spotlight. The various percussion parts, wood blocks, drums and such keep a steady slower beat. There are no real melodies or leading instrument, which is common for her music, but it does leave the song a little empty. Her voice is good, it sounds almost exactly like it did twenty years, which is good and bad. It shows little progression in her career or effort to try other styles, she is basically singing for the same audience and yet it has been over twenty years since she was making teenage angst music. But the good thing is her voice is great, the quality hasn’t changed at all, if anything, it has improved over the years. This song's lyrics are good, exactly the same amount of depth as her music has had in years past, but not amazing. I feel like I’m being very critical, this song isn’t bad at all, and for sure one of her better songs in the past 10 years, but lacks the creativity and skill to be anything more.

Originality:5

Instruments:6

Vocals:7

Longevity:6

Red Score:6