[Review] Karmin - "Pulses" Album (Track-by-Track)
Pop duo Karmin released March 25th their debut full-length album "Pulses" and saw a dream (a very delayed album) come true. "Pulses" features twelve songs and one intro. The Messengers, The Elev3n, Jon Jon, or Martin Johnson helped Karmin in the 'production' department for this album, while Claude Kelly and Ester Dean helped writing lyrics in a couple of songs. Is it a good or bad album? Was it a good idea letting Nick sing more? Is there too much Amy rapping? We have reviewed the entirety of "Pulses" for you. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section! And make sure to check out our exclusive interview with them too where they reveal secrets from "Pulses".
What are your favorite songs on "Pulses"?
1. "Geronimo" (Intro): A 37-second intro. Gives us already a hint of the 'newness' the album will bring. Vocals by Nick Noonan! Amy will finally let her Karmin 'half' to step (fully) into the spotlight. The intro song is 'shouty', and basically what Karmin do in it is prepare fans 'for the fire that we got right here' (the album I guess!).
2. "Pulses": "I want to make your heart beat / I like it when it beats for me", sings Nick in the pre-hook, while Amy responds "I want to raise pulses" in the actual hook. Great album song. You get your mix of Karmin's "urban - pop" style in this. Produced by Jon Jon Augustavo. Amy's attitude in the hook really captures you. 3.5 / 5
3. "Acapella": We all know this one. First single from the album. Reached #72 on Billboard's Hot 100. Produced by Boys Likes Girls' Martin Johnson. "Used to be your baby / Used to be your lady / Thought you were the perfect lover", catchily laments Amy in the chorus of "Acapella". You will definitely get the 'acapella' vibe in the song. By the way, how hilarious was Amy's "falsetto" part? Oh, and no Nick here. 4.5 / 5
4. "I Want It All": Second single from the album. Kind of a similar in sound as "Acapella". You got 'horns', and a really up-beat arrangement. This was co-written by Ester Dean, who has a penned a few hits for Rihanna ("Rude Boy"). No Nick in this one either, aside of a few 'ta ta ta, ta ta ta' adlibs. 4.4 / 5
5. "Night Like This": After a long and exhausting week, the only thing you and your friends want is a sick party. This is what "Night Like This" is about. "All of your problems gonna drown 'em in the Belvedere", sings Nick in the second verse of the Claude Kelly co-written pure pop song. "Night Like This" is a youth anthem. 3.8 / 5
6. "Neon Love": Karmin's "most personal" on the album. Amy and Nick are the only co-writers in this song. They just open their hearts in this one. 4 / 5
7. "Drifter": Hopefully Amy isn't singing this one to Nick! (ha). Karmin get really 'gypsy' in this Jon Jon production. Make sure not to miss Amy trading roles with Nick, who is the one that takes charge of the dub-step rap bridge. 2.5 / 5
8. "Tidal Wave": If your relationship with your partner is going through bad times, then you will relate to the lyrics in "Tidal Wave". Pretty ballad, and pretty harmonies. 2.8 / 5
9. "Gasoline": We've heard Karmin do pop, rap, electro, but not reggae... until today! Definitely one of the stand-outs on "Pulses" and hopefully a contender for single. Co-produced by Kyle Shearer and Robert Marvin, the chorus in "Gasoline" simply shouts 'SUMMER!'. Get fresh coconuts cocktails and dive into this tune! 4.6 / 5
10. "Puppet": Girls can sometimes be too controlling. And that's not good. Amy sings about loving to be in charge in this one. Crazy beat, and good vocals by Amy, but not necessarily a track that is prone to be heavily repeated. 2 / 5
11. "Hate to Love You": Pure-pop song. Karmin get a little "Pimpinela" in it. They both sing. That chorus is to die for. This MUST be single. And that's it. 5 / 5
12. "Try Me On": "If you wanna try me on / don't think we're together", sings Amy in the chorus. Is this a song about 'friends with benefits'?. Really catchy pop song. Vicious rap by Amy, especially in the first verse. Only problem, "Try Me On" leaked too early (last year) and that's probably gonna cut all of its chances to be single. Sucks! 3.9 / 5
13. "What’s In It for Me": Closing track. It's all about the repetitive chorus, and that infectious beat courtesy of The Elev3n. Amy asks his boy (a bad boy apparently whom Amy will fall for for a third time), "what’s in it for me this time?". 2.5 / 5
Final rating: 3.6 / 5
Conclusion: It's Karmin's debut album. A solid set of pop, rap and reggae songs. Amy shows off her vocal ability in it, and Nick gets to finally sing (and he's good too! Although not on the same level as Amy). There's material left of "Pulses" for at least two or three more singles. A 'debut album' to be proud of, to be honest!