With her considerable vocal talents, Christina Aguilera could’ve easily played it safe-releasing a ballad or a dance track as the first single off her upcoming album “Back to Basics.”
Instead, she took a risk — not only mixing genres — but generations. And the result is a brilliant pop gem that is destined to become a classic.
The song is called “Ain’t No Other Man”– and rather than walking a straight line-it veers off into Philly soul, hip hop and modern pop — deftly mixing an old-school horn section with cutting edge production. The combination is both unexpected and exciting, and has produced a track that is so unique there is nothing like it anywhere on the charts.
Radio is embracing it-helping to propel the song to bow at #21 on the Mainstream Top 40 chart-the biggest debut since Alanis Morrisette’s “Thank U” in 1998. In fact-the track is so contagious it is likely to rise much higher than that: a number one single is certainly within its reach.
While most of her pop peers play into what they think their audience wants to hear, it is refreshing to see a young artist (Christina is 25) follow her heart. The song (and reportedly the rest of the double CD, due out August 15th) pays tribute to her favorite music: the jazz, blues and soul from the 20s, 30s and 40s. And it is certainly a far cry from the generic dance-oriented throwaways that seem to be the trend these days.
One can only hope that the rest of the album lives up to the first single. If it does, Christina-already a superstar with a celebrated voice will rise to a whole new level, the likes of which we haven’t seen in years.
At the very least, the new single will likely expand her audience beyond her pop fan base. While it’s certainly melodic with a danceable beat, it is hard-driving enough to attract cynical rock fans. And that, in and of itself, would be an incredible accomplishment.
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