Intoxication

Intoxication review

Another masterpiece which cannot be left without attention

Jamaican dancehall and reggae star Shaggy's last album Clothes Drop has proved to be appreciated most by the audience in Japan and native Jamaica, and in order to attract the attention of the Americans and the British people the singer has had to try hard working on his next record. Beyond all doubt his pains did not fall into oblivion as the new album Intoxication has turned to be one of his best works during the last few years. Offering all the same pop reggae mixed with dancehall and R&B music Shaggy has performed most part of his career, Intoxication, nevertheless, counts several tracks that are about to become super hits, pleases with two bonuses and definitely witnesses the artist's growth. There is less space left for indecent songs on the new album and works with serious texts prove to be more successful. Shaggy's fondness of collaborations has once again served him right, and the guest stars (Akon, Sizzla, Rayvon to name a few) have refined a significant number of tracks on Intoxication. Vivid as always and faithful to his inimitable style the singer has created another masterpiece which cannot be left without attention.

Shaggy knows what he is best at

The album opens with a worrisome song Cant Hold Me, with funny audio effects and devoted to human rights. Rik Rok and Tony Gold join Shaggy on Bonafide Girl, a track with an amazingly melodious refrain, where he occupies his favorite territory of singing about women in his contagious manner. Title track Intoxication is a more club composition with a superb beat that is perfectly combined with Shaggy's recognizable singing. Those Days featuring Nasha is an unexpected cover of a world heat (Russian "??????? ???????") that Shaggy has presented with his own vision. Jamaican mood gains momentum on More Woman, whereas Woman Scorn gets us back to Shaggy's R&B flavored style. Sizzla and Collie Buddz have refined with their presence composition Mad Mad World, another danceable number and one of the album's absolute leaders due to its irresistible charm and a refrain which is sure to linger in your mind for several weeks. The troublesome rhythm here is given by the piano as the song's title suggests it tells of the topical problems we face nowadays. Song Out Of Control featuring Rayvon is also one of the album's highlights for one just can't sit still listening to it, and lead single Church Heathen with a Gregorian like choir on chorus is another hit from Shaggy and one of his best tunes to date. Another success is What's Love performed with Akon – the song is devoted to a failed relationship and is refined with a girl's commenting to Shaggy's words. Holla At You is one of the songs that makes you want to move, whereas the official album closer All About Love is very reminiscent of the singer's early works refined with tubes and back vocals. Bonus tracks Wrong Move and Reggae Vibes make a brilliant ending of this harmonious album, proving that Shaggy knows what he is best at and is never tired of pleasing the audience with his unique music.

Intoxication strengthen Shaggy's positions in the music world

If the name Orville Richard Burrell tells something only to the most faithful Jamaican's fans, then people unfamiliar with the name of Shaggy probably do not practically exist. His hits Wasn't Me, Bombastic, Angel are known all over the world even being quite old songs. Actually we have lately seen little of his videos and radios do not often please with the joyful dancehall. This year however the situation is to change dramatically. Outshining himself, Shaggy has given us so many great songs that everyone is going to speak of him. And anybody thinks that Shaggy is the last century already after listening to Intoxication his opinion is sure to change for it is clear that the singer occupies a special place in the music world, and his new record will only strengthen his positions. The artist's second breath has obviously opened, and now we can expect anything from him. Then again, even Intoxication is enough to make it clear that Shaggy has yet much force and energy, and at his age of forty he can handicap anyone eager to make sure of that.