Lizzo- Special
Label: Atlantic
Producers: Ricky Reed, Blake Slatkin, Max Martin, Ilya, Pop Wansel, Benny Blanco, Peter Svensson, Emily Warren, Ian Kirkpatrick, Savan Kotecha, Phoelix, Nate Mercereau, Terrace Martin, Omer Fedi, Joseph McVey, Mike Dean, Daoud Anthony, Mark Ronson, Thomas Brenneck, Jon Bellion, Michael Pollack, Stefan Johnson, Jordan K. Johnson, Kid Harpoon, Quelle Chris
The fourth studio effort from superstar singer-rapper Lizzo comes in hot, and precisely on brand with her trademark wit, spunk, and common-woman relatability. On the opening lines of the album on “The Sign”, she trumpets: “Hi motherfuckers, did you miss me? I’ve been home since 2020. I’ve been twerking and making smoothies, it’s called healing. And I feel better since you seen me last.” Yes, Lizzo we missed you immensely and when you’re feeling better, we all feel better, thanks to the infectious and inspiring spirit of your music. Those qualities flow radiantly throughout Special, which proves to be positively stacked with pistol-hot romps and empowering anthems, from the disco-doused smash “About Damn Time” and the pulsating pop power of “2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)”, to the uplifting statements of communal pride and inclusivity like the title track and “Everybody’s Gay”, and then the pure, unadulterated fun of sizzlers like “I Love You Bitch” and “Birthday Girl”. Elsewhere, she puts her soaring pipes and knack for slower-burning R&B to marvelous effect on moments like the on-cue raciness of “Naked” or on boldly confident pieces like “Break Up Twice” or “If You Love Me”, all tracks that prove once again that few female acts can more effectively solidify their agency on issues like body-image, self-care, and emotionally abusive relationships. Stylistically, pop, funk and dance are the central sounds of Special, more so than any other previous Lizzo LP; though she dips back into her Hip-Hop roots deliriously on the Beastie Boys sample, “Grrls”, only to turn around and similarly lift the alt-rock canon of Coldplay on the titular finale track. These flourishes once again illustrate that Lizzo’s sonic palate is as diverse and inclusive as the subject matters, and subsequently the listeners, of her songs. She’s truly emerged as a spirit-animal and beacon of light for a wide array of individuals, and Special offers a little bit of everything for everyone, regardless of their background or the nature of the personal journey they’re presently on.
Track Listing:
- “The Sign” (Melissa Jefferson, Theron Thomas, Eric Frederic, Nate Mercereau, Michael Ball)
- “About Damn Time” (Jefferson, Thomas, Frederic, Blake Slatkin, Malcolm McLaren, Ronald Larkins, Larry Price, Stephen Hague)
- “Grrrls” (Jefferson, Thomas, Max Martin, Ilya Salmanzadeh, Benjamin Levin, Slatkin, Andrew Wansel, Adam Horovitz, Rick Rubin)
- “2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)” (Jefferson, Peter Svensson, Martin, Savan Kotecha, Salmanzadeh)
- “I Love You Bitch” (Jefferson, Mike Dean, Omer Fedi, Slatkin, Joseph McVey)
- “Special” (Jefferson, Thomas, Martin, Wansell, Ian Kirkpatrick, Daoud Anthony)
- “Break Up Twice” (Jefferson, Leon Michaels, Mark Ronson, Thomas Brenneck, Nicholas Movshon, William Bell, Booker T. Jones, Lauryn Hill)
- “Everybody’s Gay” (Jefferson, Thomas, Frederic, Wansell, Kirkpatrick, James Johnson)
- “Naked” (Jefferson, Emily Warren, Kirkpatrick, Wansell, Anthony, Frederic, Robert “Kool” Bell, Ronald Bell, Claydes Charles Smith, Dennis Thomas, George Brown, Richard Westfield, Alton Taylor)
- “Birthday Girl” (Jefferson, Thomas, Jonathan Bellion, Michael Pollack, Stefan Johnson, Jordan Johnson)
- “If You Love Me” (Jefferson, Thomas, Kid Harpoon, Mercereau)
- “Coldplay” (Jefferson, Frederic, Mercereau, Gavin Tenille, Chris Martin, Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion)
The 706 
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