by Jessica Del Curto
Daily Lobo
With her bright red hair and skull and crossbones tattoo, Esthero has been making even the toughest men melt long before being quirky was cool.
The Canadian's latest album, We R in Need of a Musical Revolution, is just as promising as her last. Esthero manages to be dainty and powerful at the same time. Because of this, the hip-hop community has embraced her, and she has collaborated with Andre 3000, DJ Krush and The Roots.
Her songs have been featured in films, including "Down With Love," "Boiler Room" and "Go." Her song and video came out of nowhere and made heads turn at the end of the 1998 movie "Slam." She released her first album Breath from Another six years ago, weaving jazz, hip-hop and Latin sounds together.
Then she seemed to disappear.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
We R in Need of a Musical Revolution is long overdue, and Esthero's voice is as clear and piercing as ever.
In her first song, "We R in Need of a Musical Revolution," Esthero proves she is different from all the pretty-faced girls who sing the hooks on rap songs. She sings about it being time for a change, and how she is tired of seeing R&B singer Ashanti in every music video.
On "Everyday is a Holiday," Esthero collaborates with Sean Lennon, and the love song is a mix of funky beats and endearing lyrics.
On "Gone" Esthero tells her lover to leave, and that she doesn't want to keep him down from his potential. Her voice evokes gloom and the theme is original. It could have gone without the rapper Cee-Lo Green in it, which seemed a little sudden and misplaced in an otherwise lovely song.
Overall, Esthero's album is a call to arms, as she says. This underground jewel is meant to wake people up and demand that more than just Britney Spears be played on radio stations. Her homegrown lyrics and clear voice help her succeed in her revolution. The girl who calls herself the pink pirate has once again hit her target.
Grade: A
Esthero's album is a call to arms, as she says. This
underground jewel is meant to wake people up and demand that more than just Britney Spears be played on the radio stations.
