Pop recording artist Dev was quickly thrust to the front of the pop genre after being featured on Far East Movement’s smash hit, “Like A G6”. The 22-year-old artist did not stop there. Dev announced plans for the release of her debut album, The Night the Sun Came Up. She quickly followed with her own top twenty hit, the album’s second single, “In the Dark”. The album itself however was pushed back many times from its original September 2011 release date to a recent March 2012 release in order to allow the inclusion of more songs. The album is a little off balanced, but with memorable moments included.
The album starts off on the right foot, putting the slow, moody “Getaway” at the beginning to shock listeners as it did to me. Without the heavy production and catchy beats, I would not have known the singer actually had a voice, but she proved me wrong. The song is short but packs a strong punch, changing pace halfway through. Both of Dev’s talents are showcased here.
The project then takes a quick turn for the worst. “In My Trunk” is annoying to say the least; I wanted it to be over before the thirty second mark. Dev’s baby robot vocals are not appealing and however told her otherwise should be fired. Even her rapping skills come off amateur which is rather disappointment when the talent is her greatest characteristic.
“Me” is a highlight for the album, but not necessarily thanks to Dev. While the first half of the song is a simple and decent slow performance of a cute song, the energy really picks up at the two and a half minute mark. Two instrumental segments finish the track, a sweet sounding violin and a rough and loud rap beat. Both are impressive inclusion. Production saved this song.
The US edition of the album includes current third single, “Naked”, featuring the sultry vocals of Enrique Inglesias. The song plays out as a duet and even though the collaboration sounds fun and unique, the overall product was not as great as it could have been. The song ultimately relies on a catchy chorus while the artists shoot verses at one another rarely making an impact or showing chemistry.
The album continues with another slightly disappointing effort. “Lightspeed” sounded promising but the album never triggered my interests. The amateur rap that makes up the song’s intro turned me off and the rest of the track became a blur of boredom. I’m sure the song will play well in the nightclub scene, but it really is nothing more than generic, electro/pop filler.
The good electronic, club-ready beats finally make an appearance on the fast-paced and catchy “Breathe”. Featuring some very provocative yet appropriate lyrics such as “put your lips on me… and breathe”, the song is a treat for the ears. It was hard to not move to the infectious background production. So far the track is the best cut off the album and one I have on repeat still.
If anything would be considered a ballad than fans would most likely be talking about “Dancing Shoes”, which begins with a slow intro then picks up the pace a few notches, but nothing too extreme. Dev’s sweet, innocent performance stays the same throughout and just like the opening track shows that a debut album was warranted. She is hiding her biggest talents, saving them for the right moment.
The light and airy, ballad-esque performances start to get a little hard to believe before “Perfect Match” comes up on the track list. Dev is trying desperately hard to be cute and cuddly, talking about a true love, but I do not get the “head over heels in love” vibe from her here. I feel like she is playing a character, rather badly, and the song just sinks and gets forgotten.
When the album’s second single and Dev’s highest charting solo hit, “In the Dark”, first made its way into my life I was dancing up a storm in an Austin nightclub. Not knowing who the girl was, I found myself dancing to the addictive beat and singing along to a song I was hearing for the first time. Safe to say I was hooked. Listening now though, the song does sound old and calculated. Can I go back to 2011?
The greatest aspect of “Kiss My Lips” may just be the guest vocals of rapper Fabulous, who impresses me just as much as his guest appearance on Jennifer Lopez’ “Get Right”. Dev does her usual singing/rapping, and it may be strongest on this track, but the song does not come together as I would have liked. It sounds rushed and the chorus brings the entire thing down hard. Nice try.
Dev sounds most vulnerable on “Shadows” who she shares the spotlight with a mysterious male vocalist at times. “I couldn’t see bridges burning in back of me” is a clever line showing that the artist may regret a decision she made about a relationship in the past. I am surprised that the album is filled with mostly softer, more subtle performances, but I think that is a good thing and so is this effort.
I enjoy the work of Timbaland but even he cannot safe the mess that is “Don’t Hurt It”. Hidden at the very end of the project, the song leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The pair have collaborated on other tracks, “I Just Wanna F***” and “Break Ya Back”, and none of the songs are that great. Maybe this is the third strike to show the duo have no chemistry. Stay away from each other!
The Night the Sun Came Up is an album that has its share of highs and lows. The effort unfortunately never finds its footing and showcases Dev trying to imitate other artists in the game. The artist became known for her impressive rapping skills, but here they sound dull and child-like. She sounds much better when the production gets toned down and her real vocals are able to take over the spotlight. The album is strictly for those who love to dance, but is not material you want to listenwhen driving around or relaxing at home. The album receives a 74%.
Tracks to Hear: “Breathe”, ”Dancing Shoes” and “Shadows”
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