Music sometimes feels similar to clothing. The Backstreet Boys probably have faded while Britney Spears fits too awkwardly at this point.
Christina Aguilera, however, is a comfortable fit.
Her new offering, “Back to Basics,” pays homage to musicians like Lena Horne, John Coltrane and Aretha Franklin from past eras. Aguilera’s nostalgic tunes definitely display her criminally slept-on artistic merit.
While most of the pop acts of the new millennium fled to absurdity or ran toward reality television, Aguilera lived her life – and then sang about it.
She seems happy and overjoyed this time around. She’s a newlywed with love on her heart. Almost every song on the two-disc album documents her emotion.
Standout tracks include “Back in the Day,” “Ain’t No Other Man,” “Thank You” and “Mercy on Me.”
Aguilera produced the album along with DJ Premier, Linda Perry and Mark Ronson.
“Back to Basics” is tangible proof that bubble-gum pop can become good ol’ home cooking for the soul.