That Pretty Mutya

This would be a very late review of Mutya Buena’s first solo album Real Girl. It is not my fault; I stumbled upon it a year too late. It is sad that there was a lack of foresight of her label’s marketing arm to promote the album in the Philippines. I believe, Mutya, just for the sole reason that she is half-Filipino, would be embraced by the Filipino music fans e.g., apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas, Nicole Scherzinger of Pussycat Dolls to name a few. Yes, Filipinos could be weirdly loyal that way.

Anyways, Mutya Buena, formerly one-third of the Brit pop girl group Sugababes released thirteen tracks in her Real Girl album in June of 2007. Sugababes is the only girl group I admire because their music is unique and their act makes sense. Mutya has brought a lot of this no fear, no nonsense attitude into the group with her soul-soothing voice and beckoning, mysterious beauty. It was appropriate to name her album Real Girl and continue this legacy although this time with more of her personality.

The album is dance, soul and R&B. The first single off the album is Real Girl. It is distinguishable with the intro starting off with the unmistakable intro from Lenny Kravitz song Ain’t over ‘til Its Over. Lenny Kravitz co-wrote the song and it landed at the UK Singles Chart at Number 2. Aside from the collaboration with Kravitz, Mutya also did a single with Amy Winehouse, B Boy Baby. Winehouse does the chorus off a 1960s song by The Ronettes, Be My Baby while Mutya sings the verses. She also sang with George Michael in This is Not Love.

just a little sketch i made

One of my favorites in the album is the dance song called Song for Mutya (Out of Control), collaboration with the dance duo Groove Amada. It’s a fun, dance song although I was a bit disappointed with the music video, it was somewhat a little too unimaginative for a song that has a real potential.

You should also listen to the song Strung Out which starts out with a piano solo and is progressing dramatically. Well, that’s mostly because I can relate to the song these days and maybe some would do too... strung out/ you are wasting all our love away/ I’m running out of words to say... =( Other music player worthy are Not Your Baby and Wonderful.