DAVID CHECKS OUT PINK’S ‘BEAUTIFUL TRAUMA’

It’s one of the year’s biggest albums, but what does our reviewer David think of the new Pink album ‘Beautiful Trauma’?
It’s no secret that Australia loves P!nk.
She’s sold out countless tours and regularly features in the top spot of the charts whenever a new song is released.
Back with her first studio album in five years, she pulls together some great writers, tunes and packages into ‘Beautiful Trauma’, an album that isn’t ground-breaking, but is still an enjoyable listen.
It’s hard to go past the first single ‘What About Us’ for its empowering message, incredible vocals and video. Having watched her perform the song live several times, it’s not an easy tune to sing, but each time it’s emotionally charged. And with the state of the world, it’s Pink’s way of having her say; it remains the standout track from this album.
Looking through the writing credits is one of my favourite things to do and there is no shortage of talent involved on this album.
Max Martin (a previous collaborator) appears on several tracks, as does Greg Kurstin. If it works, why change the formula, right?
The other enjoyable tracks on this album include ‘Whatever You Want’, ‘But We Lost It’ and ‘Where We Go’, all of which remind you why Pink is so popular.
My biggest issue with ‘Beautiful Trauma’ is that it doesn’t really go anywhere; Most songs are mid-tempo, tackle a variety of subjects and show off Pink’s voice, but they don’t feel new or fresh.
The one track that is meant to be her signature “eff you” to the world comes in the form of ‘Revenge’, which is honestly the worst song I’ve heard from a major release this year.
Not even Max Martin and Shellback can save this train wreck. Why people are buying it (it’s currently in the top 20 of the iTunes chart I will never know…).
Where progress does appear is in the Julia Michaels co-penned ‘Barbies’, which gives us an indication as to what life is like for Pink as a mum. As a grown-up she reflects on how she wishes things weren’t so complicated and I have an appreciation for this perspective.
She’s grown up in the spot light since her debut in 2000 and continues to show us why she’s such an incredible performer.
This isn’t a bad album, but it falls a bit flat for me.
That said, if you managed to get a ticket to her 2018 tour, you’ll undoubtedly have a great time.

VERDICT : 3/5.
MUST LISTEN : What About Us, Where We Go, Whatever You Want, But We Lost It.

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