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Nelly Furtado - Mi Plan
| Billboard |
| There is nothing contrived about Nelly Furtado's Spanish-language debut, "Mi Plan." With simple, straightforward songs that appeal to melodic sensibilities rather than rhythmic contraptions, the set is a mix of vulnerability and earnestness. On the album, Furtado teams up with several Latin artists, including Alejandro Fernández, Juan Luis Guerra, Julieta Venegas, La Mala Rodríguez and Concha Buika, and classical crossover singer Josh Groban. The uptempo first single, "Manos Al Aire," lends itself to dance clubs, but it doesn't set the tone for the album, which balances intimacy with commercial appeal. Even when Furtado dwells on the obvious-like the cumbia beat of "Vacación" or the banal improvisation of "Bajo Otra Luz"-she does it with an appealing freshness that defies the formulaic. Standouts include "Como Lluvia" (featuring Guerra), with a chorus that switches from major to minor for a haunting feel. But the biggest departure is "Silencio" (featuring Groban), with Furtado adapting to his dramatic, classical sound while still retaining her earthy vocals and organic cadence. -Leila Cobo...full text |
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| Boston |
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Beginning with her 2000 debut, Nelly Furtado has seemed like a restless spirit. On “Mi Plan,’’ her new record, the star leaves Timbaland behind to count his money and creates an all-Spanish-language disc. It sounds like commercial suicide, but it’s actually a savvy move as the Portuguese-Canadian artist is clearly going to find a new audience. Aesthetically, this works as Furtado bridges pop sensibilities with Latin music. Of course, it’s a song cycle about love and she sings about deep passion on “Más’’ (“I want to ask for more of your heart/ More of your emotion/ More of your body’’) as well as the simple joy love can bring on the title track (“Being happy is my only plan’’). Her duets with Alejandro Fernandez (the gentle, lovely “Sueños’’) and Josh Groban (“Silencio’’) bring out the purity in Furtado’s vocals and are some of her most relaxed performances. The album also shows that she doesn’t need all the bells and whistles of pop production. The music here is lush or spare when necessary. More singing in this context makes her shine more brightly (even if it may not make the cash register ring as quickly). The best songs are understated (“Como Lluvia’’ with Juan Luis Guerra is a standout), but the upbeat tracks aimed at club remixes (“Fantasmas’’) also achieve liftoff. Obviously, Furtado had a plan and executed it well. (Out tomorrow) KEN CAPOBIANCO...full text |
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| Nytimes |
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Has pop started some unannounced cultural exchange program? Shakira’s next album, “She Wolf,” features English lyrics, electronic club beats and Auto-Tune robotics. By mysterious coincidence — or perhaps to maintain some cosmic pop equilibrium — the Portuguese-Canadian songwriter Nelly Furtado has decided to put out an album of supremely catchy, hemisphere-hopping Spanish-language pop, “Mi Plan.” It’s Ms. Furtado’s fourth album and third direction shift, following her electro-R&B album (“Loose,” produced by Timbaland, in 2006), her Portuguese- diaspora statement (“Folklore,” in 2003) and the merger of pop tunes and hip-hop beats on her debut (“Whoa, Nelly!” in 2000). The only constants in a blithely unpredictable career are Ms. Furtado’s slightly nasal, perpetually girlish voice, her ease with collaborations and her ear for a hook....full text |
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