Meghan Trainor, “Title” (Epic)
There’s plenty to like about Meghan Trainor’s first full-length album, “Title.” The set, which includes music from a previously released EP of the same name, serves up all the doo-wop sass that hooked fans on the singer-songwriter’s Grammy-nominated hit, “All About That Bass.”
Jump to almost any track on “Title” and you’ll find a similar juxtaposition of cheeky lyrics stamped over malt shop-inspired production. Unfortunately, therein lies the problem: by album’s end, it seems Trainor and “Title” producer Kevin Kadish have beaten their brand of shooby-doo flavor to death.
Sure, the throwback vibe has worked to set Trainor, 21, apart from her radio competition, and the sound works on second single “Lips Are Movin’ ” and “Dear Future Husband.” But too much of that good thing turns out to be bad for the singer’s mainstream debut.
“Title” is still worth a listen, though doing so in one sitting is ill-advised. Trainor is the funny girl-next-door on “Walkashame”; she’s an example of self-acceptance on “Close Your Eyes”; and she’s admirable — refusing to be friend-zoned — on the relatable title track.
When Trainor reaches, however, the results are painful. “Had him brushing his teeth, even flossin’/ got him looking like Ryan Gosling,” she raps on “Credit.” The cringe-worthy lyrics are rivaled only by that on the horn-heavy “Bang Dem Sticks.”
Perhaps the most refreshing song from “Title” is the subdued “Like I’m Gonna Lose You,” featuring John Legend. Not only is it a nice change of pace sonically, but in a rare moment, the track gives Trainor’s vocals the main stage, without a catchy hook or quirky production yanking away the spotlight.
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