[EN] "The Original High" Full Album Review

With 'The Original High' Adam Lambert wanted to surprise people. So he did! 

Actually each album had an impact and own elements of surprise. Whether we talk about 'For Your Entertainment' (2009), 'Trespassing' (2012) or 'The Original High' (2015), Adam proves that he is not the artist of one genre or musical style, approaching a huge diversity of pop, pop-rock, R&B, trap etc. through an impressive vocal range.

'The Original High' is the album that puts Adam's voice up and center and lets him and his listeners discover new colors of his voice by using a lot of vocal tecniques - the approach of the lower register (briefly used before; now with a notable evolution from the last years), the high register (with his well-known, signature high notes),  falsetto technique etc.

Through all these elements the executive producers of the album - Max Martin & Shellback - wanted to create something new, for Adam and for his listeners.

Adam shared a few days ago more about the album and about each song at the listening party from „Hits Sessions” (Fort Lauderdale, Florida - July 13th 2015)

Taking the album step by step, there is an anticipated conlusion: each song is a distinct entity. An individual story.

„Ghost Town”

First single, released on April 21st.

 Adam himself confesses that this is the track that introduces us to the new 'era', chosen as first single because it's totally different to what we were used to hear from Adam Lambert.

The slow, chill beginning, with an acoustic guitar supporting the warm, soft vocals, is taken to the opposite side by the deep house beats and a catchy whistle, defining a chorus that won't get out of listener's mind. 

The darker lyrics are 'soothed' by the dancing refrain, which becomes 'medicine' for Adam's heart. 

'Ghost Town' was first performed live on 'Ellen Show' (April 30th)  and then at different events and TV shows (including 'The Lottery'- UK) and also one charity event in Finland (June 6th).

„The Original High”

The title track and also the first song written for the album, being presented by Adam to the ones who became later the executive producers of the material  - Max Martin and Shellback.

'The Original High' talks about the idea of reliving the adrenaline of the first time -general term including any first experience someone wants to recreate- and touches the main theme of the album: the pursuit of happiness.

Dance-y, with a catchy chorus, just like 'Ghost Town''s whistle, it's the song that points out Adam's impeccable falsetto and reaches its peak through a high note which is -for sure- Adam Lambert's signature.

Much more impressive is the live version.
Personal opinion:  The track'The Original High' has the best live performances from the album so far.

„Another Lonely Night”

One of the tracks released on YouTube before the album came out and one of the tracks with remarkable popularity on Spotify - the 2nd most played from the album, after 'Ghost Town'.

The title itself anticipates the message - loneliness.

Once again, even if the lyrics suggest pain and desperation, the refrain 'lights up' the whole song due to its beats.

Another personal opinion:  this is the most difficult and demanding song to perform live from 'The Original High'. Of course, Adam does a great job.

„Underground”

Named 'the R&B ballad of the album', it was the first one revealed right after the single 'Ghost Town' was launched worldwide.

Because of the vocal tecnique -using the low register- it reminds me of 'Runnin'' (album „Trespassing”).

„Underground” brings this element of surprise and highlights interesting colours in Adam's voice.

The transitions from the low to the high register are spectacular in the live versions, too.

Personal note: it's obvious Adam's looseness on the higher register to the lower one, but he proves once again he is a complete artist and he faces successfully producers' 'challenges'.

„There I Said It”

Just like Adam announced some time ago - 'a huge ballad'.
There is no doubt.

'There I Said It' reminds me of „Outlaws Of Love” or „Underneath” (album „Trespassing”), but it is much more intimate and personal because of the smooth, soft melody -initially with only a piano- and the sweet, quiet vocals. 

The lyrics express the idea of having the will, power & courage to say/do things without regrets, fear or masks.
Also it can be considered 'the anthem of the broken hearts'.

This is the beauty of the album and music, in general. Everybody can relate to the lyrics.

„Rumors”

One expected duet.

First of all because it's the first official collaboration with a female voice on the album's tracklist and also because Tove Lo is a surprising artist.

The result? A future hit.

Written in last year's spring after a dinner where they had been talking about the problems and challenges of being able to have a professional AND a personal life in showbiz, 'Rumors' is the story that probably all of the public figures live.

The fight against rumors and other false/misinterpreted things that get to mass-media obviously affect people involved and also their interhuman relationships.

As a personal opinion, this duet excedeed my expectations. Strong voices, both separately and together.

Not to mention that trap is a surprising and new style for Adam....a success, again.

„Evil In The Night”

The last one from the ones posted before the album release and maybe future single - equal opportunities with  'The Original High', in my opinion.
However, a guaranteed hit.

Diversity of styles, not an easy vocal technique, proven in the live performances.
Also, a song that Adam totally enjoys every time.

„Lucy”

Probably the most expected duo.
If not, the most discussed, both within Queen fans and the Glamberts.

It wasn't quite a big surprise, taking into consideration Adam's collaboration with Queen's members and the special relationship they all have.

Who doesn't feel shivers while listening to Brian May's riffs?!

'Red Special' has marked so many musical masterpieces throughout many years.

The fact that in 2015 it gives life to 'Lucy' is touching, thrilling and honouring for Adam and his career and also for the ones who took part at Queen & Adam Lambert's concerts from their world tour and had the chance to see and listen the musical wonders that Adam's voice and 'Red Special' 's chords can create together.

„Things I Didn’t Say”

Rhythmic song, with a chorus that won't leave your mind.

Its 'high' is the lyric 'Whataya want from me?' which is a throwback to 2009 and Adam Lambert's biggest hit, produced by the one and only Max Martin.

„The Light”

Last track written for the album, added last minute. 
Throwback to the house music of the ’90s.

The lyrics and the opposite images created through them („I am the fire/You are the rain”) highly suggest the idea of Yin & Yang.

„Heavy Fire”

Maybe the most typical song for Adam when it comes to his style some years ago.

Personally, it takes me back to 'American Idol' days (2009).

Far from being an easy song, it shows Adam's  hard-to-beat vocal skills and also the pop-rock style reminds me of Queen & Adam Lambert tour.

„After Hours”

Again, the element of surprise.
Being a bonus track it was kind of expected to be totally different to the other songs.

„After Hours” is a moody song which creates multiple images of the nightlife in a big American city: boulevars, cars, speed, colors and hallucinating lights. 

„Shame”

Second bonus track of Deluxe edition.

Dance-y, with funny lyrics and a contagious 'Sh Sh Sh', it defines another less dark piece of the album.

„These Boys”


Third bonus track and also the last song of the album 'The Original High' - Deluxe.

It reminds me somehow of 'Kickin' In' or 'Shady' (album 'Trespassing'), at least because of the 'playful', campy style.




Altogether, a diverse, complex and complete album.

Something for everybody: universal themes, deep, meaningful lyrics, with the possibility of a personal interpretation of them and a new, different sound from what we were used to hear from Adam Lambert.

A success!

R.Ș.