{"id":43674,"date":"2015-07-23T16:36:27","date_gmt":"2015-07-23T20:36:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/headlineplanet.com\/home\/?p=43674"},"modified":"2015-07-23T16:39:42","modified_gmt":"2015-07-23T20:39:42","slug":"bea-miller-not-an-apology-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/headlineplanet.com\/home\/2015\/07\/23\/bea-miller-not-an-apology-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Bea Miller Delivers Powerful, Engaging Pop on “Not an Apology;” Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bea Miller’s debut album “Not an Apology” is a decidedly routine, mainstream affair. Devoid of overt quirks or alternative tendencies, it adheres to a rather straightforward, mainstream, innocuous blueprint that could have easily fit into the arsenal of a young Kelly Clarkson or Demi Lovato.<\/p>\n

That is exactly why it represents the perfect showcase for a unique, unusual, immensely talented performer like Bea Miller.<\/p>\n

Blessed with a captivating, throaty vocal tone and a refreshingly candid attitude, Miller easily could have taken shortcuts. She easily could have focused on low-key, \u201csinger-songwriter\u201d melodies that spotlighted her alluring tone without testing her vocal range or power. She easily could have focused on eccentric, jaded lyrical topics that superficially established her persona as darker and quirkier than that of the typical teen pop singer.<\/p>\n

Instead, Miller unflinchingly confronts the world of mainstream pop. In doing so, she subjects herself to immense challenges.<\/p>\n

\"Bea<\/a>
Bea Miller | Hollywood Records<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The songs on \u201cNot an Apology\u201d are generally broad, familiar pop productions. In order to stand out while working to meet the demands of the soaring choruses and rigidly defined melodies, one needs to possess significant vocal power and an even greater degree of command.<\/p>\n

The songs on \u201cNot an Apology\u201d generally address broad, familiar themes. In order to communicate one\u2019s unique personality while navigating fairly generic topics, one needs to possess a fresh lyrical voice and an emotionally engaging literal one.<\/p>\n

In essence, the greatest risk Miller takes on \u201cNot an Apology\u201d is singing songs that do not at all seem risky. Instead of operating from the safety of a niche, she is putting herself in direct competition with the incredibly talented, charismatic artists who also perform mainstream pop.<\/p>\n

She passes the test.<\/p>\n

With only a few exceptions, Miller\u2019s debut album is a compelling, engaging introduction to a pop star who is as capable as she is atypical. The songs are greatly accessible, greatly listenable and greatly enjoyable.<\/p>\n

Most importantly, they are greatly authentic, and that is the true beauty of the album.<\/p>\n

From a technical or thematic standpoint, a song like album standout \u201cI Dare You\u201d is not fundamentally different from the countless power pop tracks that dominated radio in the 2000s. And yet thanks to Miller\u2019s unique voice and unabashed emotional commitment, it sounds<\/em> different. It sounds<\/em> special.<\/p>\n

It sounds<\/em> like Bea Miller.<\/p>\n

Vocally, she possesses a coveted combination of technical polish and soulful grit. Spiritually, she possesses a coveted combination of youthful exuberance and undeniable maturity. Not one to waste those gifts, Miller injects her multi-faceted abilities into every single moment of every single song. She is never coasting and instead always commanding.<\/p>\n

As a result, Miller uses the entirety of the album to communicate her personality. Whether listeners love or hate Bea Miller, they will absolutely know<\/em> her when they complete the album.<\/p>\n

By possessing such a keen sense of self and of her craft, Miller is also able to inject personality and gravity into<\/em> each track. When she comments on \u201cRich Kids,\u201d you take notice. When she declares she\u2019s not a \u201cPaper Doll,\u201d you wouldn\u2019t dare debate her. When she announces \u201cWe\u2019re Taking Over,\u201d you\u2019re going to sign up for her revolution.<\/p>\n

Pivotal to the success is the fact that Miller\u2019s approach, while frenetic and intense, is expertly targeted. On \u201cForce of Nature,\u201d her passionate commitment manifests as a riveting, yet delicately gorgeous vocal journey. On \u201cThis is Not an Apology,\u201d her investment instead emerges as aggressive, unfiltered sass. By being so emotionally and vocally dynamic, Miller provides each song with a distinctly resonant meaning.<\/p>\n

That ability is incredibly rare. That Miller already possesses it \u2013 and so powerfully showcases it on her very first album \u2013 simultaneously speaks to her existing talent and the greatness that will emerge as her career progresses.<\/p>\n

It also precludes any potential criticism about \u201cNot an Apology\u201d being less eclectic than her \u201cYoung Blood\u201d EP.<\/p>\n

The notion is not technically untrue; EP songs \u201cYoung Blood,\u201d \u201cFire N Gold,\u201d \u201cEnemy Fire\u201d and \u201cDracula,\u201d which also appear on \u201cNot an Apology,\u201d collectively demonstrate greater sonic diversity than the other, album-only tracks.<\/p>\n

The notion is not, however, one of meaningful consequence. What the seven album-only tracks lack in sonic diversity is easily remedied by their abundance of emotional diversity. If the goal is to showcase Miller\u2019s range and versatility, communicating different meaning<\/em> is far more valuable than simply singing different kinds of songs.<\/p>\n

A potentially more valid criticism concerns the album\u2019s potential to spawn hits. While nearly every song is catchy and thus theoretically radio-friendly, none \u2013 beyond \u201cYoung Blood,\u201d which itself was only a minor pop hit–is particularly disruptive. That the songs are of a particularly high quality makes no assurance radio will overlook their lack of marketplace diversity.<\/p>\n

That is the true trade-off of \u201cNot an Apology.\u201d The album is supremely effective in showcasing Miller\u2019s vocal talent, introducing her personality, broadcasting her emotion and demonstrating her ability to compete with the sea of superstars who occupy mainstream pop.<\/p>\n

Perhaps ironic given its unabashed pop lean, it is not, however, an especially commercial album. Its focus is not to sell any individual song; it is to sell the overall Bea Miller experience.<\/p>\n

And is that really a bad thing? Should an album that showcases Miller\u2019s talent, provides sing-along anthems and forges meaningful connections with listeners be seen as anything other than a success?<\/p>\n

Track By Track<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Bea<\/a>
Bea Miller’s ‘Not an Apology’ arrives on July 24<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1 \u2013 Young Blood (also on the EP) \u2013 Miller\u2019s first single remains her best track<\/span>. Anthemic without being schmaltzy and sonically powerful without being bombastic, it serves as a perfect introduction to the refreshingly honest \u2013and incredibly talented \u2013 Bea Miller.<\/p>\n

2 \u2013 Fire N Gold (also on the EP) \u2013 Miller\u2019s current radio single perfectly illustrates her dynamic use of energy. Soft at times and loud at times, it is boring and detached at precisely zero times.<\/p>\n

3 – I Dare You \u2013 Arguably the least original from a production perspective, \u201cI Dare You\u201d may ultimately be the album\u2019s most effective<\/span> track. While the composition would technically feel at home on Kelly Clarkson\u2019s \u201cBreakaway\u201d or Demi Lovato\u2019s \u201cHere We Go Again,\u201d the song itself never would: Miller\u2019s performance is too unique and too sincere for this to be perceived as anything other than a fantastic Bea Miller song. If one wants to prove Bea Miller can compete in mainstream pop, he should turn to this song ten out of ten times.<\/p>\n

4 \u2013 Paper Doll \u2013 A confident, frank attitude is central to Miller\u2019s persona, and this song perfectly encapsulates that attitude. It also sounds<\/em> really good.<\/p>\n

5 \u2013 Perfect Picture \u2013 Its compositional progression is akin to that of \u201cFire N Gold,\u201d but it definitely does not feel like a redundant effort. With its soaring chorus and a particularly alluring vocal performance, it is a definite winner.<\/p>\n

6 \u2013 Enemy Fire (also on the EP) \u2013Despite featuring the heaviest production, it also boasts Miller\u2019s least commanding, assured and energetic performance. The result is an unfortunate class and a rare example of Miller not rising above the song.<\/p>\n

7 \u2013 Force of Nature \u2013 It provides a stunning, vulnerable introduction to Miller\u2019s vocal prowess. It provides vivid proof that the power pop angst expressed on tracks like \u201cI Dare You,\u201d \u201cPaper Doll\u201d and \u201cYoung Blood\u201d is definitely not Miller\u2019s only emotional gear. It is a fantastic song.<\/p>\n

8 \u2013 This is Not an Apology \u2013 While the chorus soars melodically, it suffers due to a rare moment of Bea Miller vocal weakness. Her voice is usually confident and angsty, but this chorus delivery come across as far too innocent, childlike and powerless for the sassy and unapologetic tune. A compelling track from an attitude standpoint, \u201cThis is Not an Apology\u201d is a disappointment from a vocal one.<\/p>\n

9 \u2013 Dracula (also on the EP) \u2013 Unlike on \u201cEnemy Fire,\u201d Miller is able to match, if not exceed, the intense and punchy production. The result is a much stronger track.<\/p>\n

10 \u2013 We\u2019re Taking Over \u2013 Never deniable, the comparison between Miller and Demi Lovato is particularly evident on this track, which was co-written by the \u201cCool for the Summer\u201d singer. The similarity does not, however, neuter the track\u2019s efficacy. Miller\u2019s performance is commanding and authentic, and the result is a song that will surely serve as a fan favorite at her concerts.<\/p>\n

11 \u2013 Rich Kids \u2013 For fans in their twenties and thirties, \u201cRich Kids\u201d presents a superficial comparison to Good Charlotte\u2019s \u201cLifestyles of the Rich & Famous.\u201d The Madden Brothers, unsurprisingly, wrote this one. Like she does on \u201cWe\u2019re Taking Over,\u201d Miller nonetheless makes this one her own and sincerely communicates her attitude. It may not warrant the closing spot on the album, but it definitely deserves a spot on your playlist.<\/p>\n

“Not an Apology” arrives on July 24.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[1047,206],"tags":[2956,3821],"adace-sponsor":[],"yoast_head":"\nBea Miller Delivers Powerful, Engaging Pop on "Not an Apology;" Review<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Bea Miller's debut album "Not an Apology" is a decidedly routine, mainstream affair. 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