Song review: Pills and Potions by Nicki Minaj

Finally! Nicki Minaj dropped her single on May 21. Releasing 'Pills and Potions' as her lead single, Nicki Minaj looks like she's ready to crack into the Top 10 on the hot 100 again with her latest song.

I think that this is one of her best tracks, after releasing singles like 'Yass Bish' and 'Lookin ass Nigga' which failed to debut at the Hot 100 at all, this could be one of her most personal tracks yet!

I liked the way the title speaks for the song - it is not like a true rap song, but yet not a true pop song - its like a POTION.

One thing I liked about this single is that she tries to sing a little bit instead of purely just rapping - although it is highly autotuned, this track gives people chills because she sings sweetly with whispery vocals before she suddenly exclaims 'I Still Love...'

Although I am not clear of who she is referring to in this song, I can be certain of one thing - this is one of her most meaningful songs to date, and it could be one of her greatest hits because:

1. She has a huge fan base.
2. It incorporates her signature slow raps as well as diving into her pop roots.
3. Instead of pouring autotune all over her song, she tunes it down a bit by replacing her harsh raps/vocals with a more soothing and sweet one.
4. All this makes her singing more appealing and the rapping can actually be understood without one having to look up Metrolyrics for the lyrics.

Overall, it has been a great comeback for this rapper! I am loving the direction her album is taking, although I wish she could work on her singing voice in the fourth and fifth octave.

Lyrics:  A+
Vocals: A+
Overall: A+

View the audio here:

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Vocal profile of Nicki Minaj

Lowest note:C#3
Highest belt: Eb5
Highest note: F5(screamed F#5)
Exclamation: C#6
Vocal range: 2 octaves 2 notes
Vocal type: Mezzo-soprano
Vocal grade: C

Vocal positives:
Although classified as a rapper, she has the ability to belt notes in the fifth octave and carry a basic tune. Her low notes(C#3-E3) are well supported and somewhat smokey in texture. She also possesses the ability to change from a thick and heavy timbre to a light one. Her mid-range(A3-F#4) is solid and is her strongest range.

Vocal negatives:
Her belts gets thinner from C#5 onwards and are weak. She struggles at basic belts such as G#4 live, often depending on layered tracks when she does not rap.


View her vocal range here:

Song review: Call It Whatever by Bella Thorne

At long last! Bella Thorne, star of Shake It Up on Disney Channel has released her lead single 'Call It Whatever'. As expected, her song is filled with autotune albeit the catchy lyrics and groovy beats.

I am a little disappointed by the song though, because it seems like the song only interests children 13 years old and below, and even then, it does not seem like a hit to me - with weak lyrics and repetitive beats, it seems to be forgettable.

Nevertheless, I give some credit to the fact Bella Thorne's singing skills have improved vastly(she takes singing lessons now) and hopefully her full length album will be better than this song.

Vocals: B-
Lyrics: A-
Overall: B

View her music(audio) here:

Song review: Thirsty by Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey unveiled her track 'Thirsty' for her new album 'Me. I am Mariah'. And honestly, not loving it.

Mariah Carey has been known to be a 'Songbird Supreme', 'Queen of Melismas' and a master of whistle tones, but this track is so messy! It is definitely not her best song - it sounds kiddish, her vocal runs are messed up, and the last belt at the end was so high she probably could not sing that live.

I just lost some hope in her upcoming album. She made a wrong move by unveiling this track just before her album release.

Vocals: B+
Lyrics: C+
Overall: B-

View her song here:

Vocal profile of Mariah Carey

Lowest note: G2(forced Eb2)
Highest belt: A5(screamed Bb5 before)
Highest note: B7
Exclamation: C#8
Vocal range: 5 octaves 2 notes
Vocal type: Coloratura lyric Soprano
Vocal grade: A+

Vocal positives:
She has shown to be able to go from the fifth octave to an airy whisper within the space of one word. Being a soprano, she has an unusual ability to reach the second octave. Her low notes are dark and heavy with a somewhat smokey texture to them. Her belts (G4-A5) are where she shines. Her head voice and whistle register are easily accessible. She has shown a unique ability to mouth words in the sixth octave.

Vocal negatives:
As she has aged, she is seen having difficulty accessing notes in the sixth and seventh octave. She has been lowering her larynx for notes below B2 which is a technique that could damage her voice. Her belts are now a hit or miss live because of some unintentional voice cracks. Her belts are not as solid as before and her notes get thinner after E5(due to vocal nodules)

View Mariah's vocal range here:

Vocal profile of Lorde

Lowest note: Bb2(forced G#2)
Highest belt: Eb5
Highest note: E5
Exclamation: G#5
Vocal range: 2 octaves 3 notes
Vocal type: Contralto
Vocal grade: A+

Vocal positives:
Armed with a contralto vocal range, she has the ability to sing very dark and supported low notes healthily up til a Bb2 comfortably. Her low notes are basically her strongest part of her range, allowing her to convey her thoughts on today's society through them. Her notes at the fifth octave are generally okay, with her highest belt hit in her song Glory and Gore.

Vocal negatives:
Her notes above B4 are thin, and notes like E5 are a struggle for her. She lets her background singers do all the high notes most of the time, so the most notable high note she has ever done live would be Eb5 and E5.

View her vocal range here:

Top 5 worst songs as of 9 May

These 5 songs are by far the worst songs I've ever heard- the melody, the vocals have driven me crazy... Here are the songs:

Note: I am not spreading hate, I am just listing the songs that need A LOT of work, especially the songs that clinched the top 3 spots.

No 05. GUY by Lady Gaga

No. 04: Ghost by Ella Henderson

No 03: Hello Kitty by Avril Lavigne

No 02: Ain't It Fun by Paramore

No 01: Birthday by Katy Perry