Christina Aguilera may not have a title or a release date for her new album (due some time this summer), but as she hinted to EW back in January, she’s finding inspiration in the music of jazz legends such as Billie Holiday and Pearl Bailey, as well as in modern, gritty pop music. The ”Beautiful” singer confirmed this direction in a recent interview with Billboard, noting, "Some of the songs are kept authentic, sticking to a really raw, old-soul sound, where others combine elements of old blues, jazz and soul with a hard modern-day edge."
Now I’m not saying Xtina shouldn’t explore all her artistic passions, but I also think it’s fair to ask: Which version do you prefer? The well-coiffed, sophisticated lady who recently collaborated with Herbie Hancock or the chaps-sportin’ tartlet who glared her way through the ”Dirrty” video alongside freaky plushies and Redman? I enjoy both varieties, but I’m gonna have to cast my vote for the latter. (C’mon now, how can you deny a song that helped Drew Lachey score his Dancing With the Stars trophy?)
What do you think, PopWatchers?
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I’m going to have to go with the former, largely because she can only go so far with that slutty image. She doesn’t want to become another Britney Spears, so I’m all for any changes that could be for the better. Look at Mandy Moore. When she was a pop singer (back in her “Candy” days), she was just the third Britney rip off. Now I’m a big fan of her acting career (another person who benefited from the brilliant “Saved!”). You can only be teen pop for so long. No one’s buying that crap, so I applaud her change. I mean, I still probably won’t buy it, but that doesn’t mean I don’t applaud the effort.
I am all for the likes of Christina Aguilera, who actually has pipes, opening up a whole new generation of music listeners to the classics of the Jazz songbook. Hopefully she won’t butcher them as Rod Stewart did in his inexplicably best selling shlock renditions of the Great American Songbook. The fact that she teamed up with the likes of Herbie Hancock – for the rendition of A Song For You – allows me to believe that she will be respectful of the spirit and the artistry of the artists that she will choose to cover. And so, to the other question, you have the answer: which one of the former mouseketeers will have a career that stands the test of time? The one that covers Pearl Bailey, or the one who finds inspiration in the Bobby Brown vast repertoire?
How about silent.
Neither. She spend too much time worry about her hair color and style, her music is not so interesting anymore.
I like both, depends on my mood I guess. I really liked the black hair she was sporting awhile back, but she’s hot no matter what.
Dirrty all the way. She was fearless, somewhat shocking, and seemed to behaving fun. but, really, as long as the music is good, either would do for me.
While I respect where she’s going, and trying to be a “real musician”, and not just a pop star, I like her pop music. It’s good! If her new music is as good as dirrty, then I’ll vote for the new xtina.
I don’t really care, just give us some new tunes. Its been way too long. I loved her last cd and its time for a new cd. I hate to wait for years for a cd that ends up having 8-9 tracks. No matter what it is, it is a let down (are you listening Michael?)
I dont get what you people want out of artists. If they do the same old thing you berate them for that and if they try to change it up you persecute them as well. Artists are humans and our interests change as we grow, I dont listen to the same stuff I did when Xtina came out and Im sure she doesnt either. Get over it. Let her do her thing you haters.
If she can pull of songs with the power and ferocity of “Beautiful” and “Fighter” again I’m all for whatever she has coming my way.
I liked her last CD, but I think I prefer classy Chrissy better. I’m intrigued by her new direction.
i like the combo, i think the combo is good for her, dirrty but soulfood. Because we all know she can sing, she doesnt have to prove this, she can just sing whatever she freakin wants! I do however prefer the dirrty side.
I LOVE CHRISTINA AGUILERA. SHE HAS A VOICE AND HER MUSIC IS GREAT. I LOVE THE SONG “A SONG FOR YOU”. SOUL MUSIC IS HERE TO STAY. I BELIEVE SHE WILL DO A GOOD JOB ON HER NEW ALBUM
I like the fact that she keeps changing her music style so people won’t get bored of her music. I’m sure her new album will be as good as her last 2 albums!
It’s hard to say. I loved all the controversy with “Dirrty” and everything, but I like how she keeps re-inventing herself with each album…it’s very refreshing. So, I like both.
As long as she keeps the cleavage, either way is fine.
I really like that she is being diverse. I can’t for her new album release!
who would have thought that way back when, when christina and britney first appeared on the scene, that BRITNEY would end up being the trashing one and CHRISTINA end up being the classy one? seriously!
i’m all for anything christina. her “in-between” songs since her last album have been hot and truly diverse. come on – what other singer do you know can go from her stripped album to “car wash,” “tilt your head back” with nelly, and a duet with herbie hancock. that girl is flex and talented.
I like nice and sexy Christina
I’m not sure how dirrty I like my Christina, but I do know one thing: unless she’s trying to cover up 3rd degree burn scars, girlfriend needs to cool it with the makeup. It’s thicker than Janet Jackson’s thighs!
I’ll take my Christina both naughty and nice. Whatever you say about the girl, she has one of the most amazing voices in the business, and that’s all you really need to know.
we should all praise christina for how she changes her sound. if she can incorporate jazz and swing into pop music and make people like it, she will be unstoppable. i heard two snippets from the CD and it is SICK!!! i can’t wait until it comes out. britney listen up, THIS is a true star!! go XTINA!!!
I have no problem with her exploring other music avenues as long as she’s not looking like a drag queen. She’s pretty enough with all that make-up. You can be sexy with looking ridiculous, like the riding chaps. Thankfully she has talent.
Not a big fan of Christina, but she has a phenomenal voice and can be quite beautiful when she tones it down. (Plus her Samantha in the “Sex and the City” spoof on SNL was spot-on.) Here’s hoping she focuses on being something different: a classy pop star who’s more about music than image. If that happens, more power to her.
i loved the filthy whore christina, she was bold and individual. this new christina is (to be honest) a little boring. but i have faith in her new sound (ive heard the 3 clips u can find on mtv.com) and they sound great so as long as the music is top notch ill be happy!
Will someone PLEASE PLEASE tell her to stop caking on the foundation and that garish red lipstick! She is a pretty girl with an amazing voice and I prefer her classy sound, but I can’t take her seriously when I look at her.
As a Mariah Carey fan, I’m all for REAL SINGERS! Christina has a great voice; I like that she is taking chances with her music. I could care less how she looks, she’s got the talent. Welcome back!
Nice – she’s got so much talent she doesn’t need to be dirty like some people we know.
Dirty girls are a dime a million right now. I like cleavage and skin and sexual innuendo and stripper moves as much as the next guy but really when it comes right down to it people who have real talent need only showcase that talent. Really, if they have to resort to being dirty to reel in more people they need to think whether the attention of those people is worth it and when they realize it is not then they have a clear path to a career as a talented person, and eventually those people only interested in them because they were dirty will return to the strip clubs and porn sites from whence they came.
I agree with what most people here have already said. She sure as hell doesn’t need to prove that she can sing. Whatever works for her image is great, that’s her perogative. What I would hate to see is her let herself go and look trashy ..(we ALL know who I’m talking about) She seems to be happy with where her life is right now, I really would like to see this album do great! I agree, she’s too good for the “pop” scene. People like Britney are perfect for that, she sells her image because she can’t sing and she needs something.