Prince
Art Official Age

Ok, ready, off we go again. Four years and your purple class is back at school to listen to your "lectio magistralis" on modern music. Because when you take the podium, Mr. Nelson, you deserve our full attention and unconditional respect, as we know that you will always bestow us with the stroke of genius.

You start with a dark and somewhat gloomy address to the nation (it feels like being in Batman's Gotham City) and warn us that we live in an artificial cage (Art Official Cage - which if read quickly becomes Artifficial Cage). A powerful beginning, with the bass "slapped and plucked," your trademark, accompanied by a never banal dance rhythm. Excellent intro, promising beginnings. Welcome home Prince.

Moving forward, let's tune into the second track Clouds, a pleasant surprise. It's one of those tracks with multiple layers, both musically and textually, that only you can deliver. The sneaky and sensual chorus, superbly rapped, fits wonderfully with the sung part, also excellently supported by Lianne La Havas. It's a track that reveals new details with each listen. You've truly put a lot of effort into it, we can tell. Thank you.

Your musical palette is already quite full. You could paint us a beautiful story, somewhat tear-jerking, sung with passion and intensity using your screams and unique voice that only you have and can afford. Just to tone down the dazzling atmosphere of the first two tracks. Joking aside, Breakdown is a great piece, intense, sincere, I like it, it slides away majestically.

What can I say, I'm almost moved: once again you've taken me by surprise. We're only on the third track, but you've packed so much into it, both modern and fresh sounds. No, my friend, I can't say you've repeated yourself, self-celebrated, or anything of the sort. So far, I find your album pleasant and lovely. I dare say: despite the long wait, it seems like it was worth it. If I may, my score for this first trio is a solid 7.5. Actually, forget the fear, you deserve a full 8.

So, let's say, let the party continue: will you make us dance and move a bit dear Prince? The title The Gold Standard seems perfect, it must be something truly “crazy amazing”. First, second, third, countless listens, but I'm a bit worried, what's happening to me: the track isn't gripping me, I'd like to say it hasn't caught me yet, I hope I'm wrong, but that's what I think (I need U to tell what I think). The chorus is rather weak, I find your typical sound too standardized, alas nothing sparkles in gold for me. I'm sorry, maybe I'm wrong.

Now, the next track I've heard some great things about, it should be one of the most modern on the album, there's also a bit of mystery because it seems to be a “plundered” track and not credited, at least officially, that you made your own. But how, with all your potential, do you click randomly on YouTube and pick up this somewhat random track? Well, you know and only you know (U know!!) dear Prince, why you put this somewhat boring loop in the album (do you think I'm exaggerating?).

Fortunately, Breakfast can wait arrives, a cute and balanced compositional delight, superior to the previous two tracks. Not a masterpiece, though.

I won't dwell too much on the next two tracks. For me, the lowest point of the album: This could be us and What it feels like simply don't add zest to the album, which, given the big comeback, should have continued in the vein of the first three tracks. Score for this part of the album, excluding Breakfast, 5.

Let's proceed, hoping for a grand finale!

Ah, how lovely, here comes Lianne La Havas to take you by the hand again Prince (affirmation I, II). Yes, you were a bit lost, what do you say we return home? Way back Home deserves it, a very intimate, personal track. One of the best, along with Clouds and Breakdown. Now we can indeed move a bit with Funknroll, very techno but with a nice climax at the end. Well done, much better compared to that other "standard".

And now a duet ballad with Allo fits quite decently in Time. Am I wrong, or does the lady seem to keep you on your toes a bit? In any case, I found the track charming at first listens, but with more listens, it somewhat loses its appeal.

You rightly conclude, recalling the theme of Way back Home in affirmation III, which is one of the compositions you excelled in on AOA. Beautiful, dreamy, with an intense orchestrated part. Third part of the album merits a 7, but much credit goes to "Way back Home".

What can I say, it's a pity for that somewhat dull central part, which doesn't grip me at all, rather making the continuation of listening quite challenging.

Dear Prince, I say this sincerely and hope that AOA and this 3edEyeGirl project is already more a phase of the past than of the present or future. Final score, 6.5.