Nelly Furtado has been one of the most diverse Pop artists out there over the last two decades. Beginning in 2000 with her debut album Whoa, Nelly! (which included the hit single “I’m Like a Bird”), Furtado showed she could mix Pop, Rock, Folk, and Hip Hop influences all into one collection. Truly impressive, these sparkling beginnings have led to Furtado selling over 35 million records, and ample international recognition, all while she has partook in plenty of interesting, unexpected collaborations (such as 2006’s simply irresistible “Maneater” with Timberland).
Difficult to pin Furtado into one category or another, it has now been over seven long years since her last studio album The Ride, however, on September 20, 2024, she returned with the anticipated 7. Simply titled, because it is her seventh overall studio record, the new collection is fourteen tracks that go in various directions you may or may not expect. A handpicked group, apparently Furtado has amassed hundreds of songs in the bank from a year-and-a-half writing period. With that in mind, going into 7 you should have the foresight to know that these can honestly be just one side of the spectrum in Furtado’s newly penned material… and there may be an outpour of new material to roll out sooner than later.
Something to consider, 7 itself features a heavy hand of songwriting and performance collaborations. Feeling as if this was a cumulative effort, looking at the material closer, there is a bundle of different sounds explored here. Launched with the pre-release single “Love Bites” (featuring Sweden’s Tove Lo and British Record Producer SG Lewis), it is a very dance-laden first taste that is catchy and seductive. This was followed by the second single “Corazón” which gives you a modern Latin Pop vibe. A title that translates into “Heart,” the song features Furtado teaming with Colombian band Bomba Estéreo, and the result is quite colorful.
These two songs act as an appetizer, but the remainder of 7 remains a mixture all over the spectrum. With many having an extremely modern Dance Pop sound – such as “Showstopper,” “Honesty,” and “Ready for Myself” – Furtado also does not limit the flow of the album in any way. In fact, there are also more Pop Rock leaning tunes like “Floodgate,” followed by very heartfelt piano-driven compositions, such as “Untitled,” and “All Comes Back” (featuring R&B Singer Charlotte Day Wilson), which are off-set by modern Electronic Pop cuts like “Crown” (with South Africa’s Blxckie). However, perhaps the most striking song of this entire album is “Fantasy” which has a heavily reminiscent atmosphere to the aforementioned “Maneater.”
Overall, Nelly Furtado spent a good slice of the last few years trying out new sounds and ideas. An experimental period, she put together an album that may come across as schizophrenic, but in truth, showcases that she is unafraid to create something non-linear. This is not to say the 7 is an unenjoyable listen, because it does have a different moment for everyone; including her long-time, as well as potentially a new generation of listeners. There is no denying Furtado’s ability to take different cultural tones and melt them together successfully. So, while 7 may not be what you expected, it is still extremely compelling. Leaving you swirling with curiosity about what might come next, Cryptic Rock gives 7, 4 out of 5 stars.
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