Loose

Nelly Furtado

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 20, 2006)
• Original Release Date: June 20, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Geffen Records
• ASIN: B000FII324
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (318 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,564 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The buzz for Nelly Furtado's Loose began before the music was even recorded, with the announcement that legendary hip-hop knob-twirler Timbaland (Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake) would act as co-producer. The question on fans' minds: what would it sound like when a hip-hop kingpin collaborated with an artist who culls inspiration not just from pop music, but also her own Portuguese roots?

As it turns out, Loose incorporates a number of different styles along its journey, but is--surprisingly--primarily divided between '80s-influenced electronica and latin-infused pop. This disc is very different from Furtado's previous CDs, a fact immediately evident from track one, the new wave-affected "Afraid." A strong opener, the song is the beginning of a 1-2-3 punch of uptempo, infectious dance floor beats. The second cut, "Maneater," also proves to be incredibly catchy, but the verses and keyboard sound too much like they were plucked from electroclash artist Peaches' tree, and originality is lost. The perfect summer pop song follows, the massive hit "Promiscuous," which features clever interplay between Furtado and Timbaland on their sassy duet. From that point, Loose oscillates between the Miami-affected sounds of R&B, Latino pop, and reggaeton ("Showtime," "Te Busque," and "No Hay Igual" respectively) and the aforementioned '80s vibe ("Glow," "Do It"). Fans will hear Furtado at her vocal best on "Say It Right" and "In God’s Hands"--two of the most lyrically compelling tracks on the disc. --Denise Sheppard

Product Description
In preparation for her new album, Loose, NELLY FURTADO tried out collaborations with a who's who of producers, and she tried to create a music more of the body than the mind. A prime example of the latter is first single "PROMISCUOUS," a duet with Loose producer TIMBALAND, known far and wide for his groundbreaking work with, among others, MISSY ELLIOTT, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE and AALIYAH.

It stands to reason that gold and multiplatinum certifications (for 2003's Folklore and 2000's Whoa, Nelly!, respectively), a pair of Top 10 singles ("I'm Like a Bird" and "Turn Off the Light"), and a Grammy Award (for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance), to name just a few accomplishments, would afford a certain level of confidence. But nothing has inspired Furtado to throw caution to the wind more than motherhood. "Motherhood makes you fearless," she says. "The album is very youthful-sounding," Furtado continues, "and I think that's partly due to the presence of this two-year-old in my life. I was with her all day every day and then I'd go to the studio at night, and I think that translated into a playful energy I feel onstage but that hasn't really been heard on my records."

Starting with her longtime production team of Track & Field, she also knew she wanted to check out a variety of producers. "Working with new producers," she hazards, "is like trying on new clothes - you never know what you look good in until you try it on. And sometimes they will see something in you that neither you nor anyone else could see." So she traveled with her daughter from Toronto to London to work with NELLEE HOOPER; to Los Angeles to work with LESTER MENDEZ (who produced, "Te Busque," her moving duet with JUANES) and RICK NOWELS (co-writer and producer of the gorgeous ballad "In God's Hands"); and to Miami to work with PHARRELL WILLIAMS and SCOTT STORCH and finally, TIMBALAND.

Indeed, the raw, lighting-in-a-bottle spontaneity of the collaborative process is at the heart of Loose. "This record shows who I am in a jam-type environment, where I really feel the excitement of the creativity flowing," Furtado reveals. "It's who I am at my most artistic. I live for that, and I'm very grateful to be able to share it."

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Nelly becomes a sell-out!, July 8, 2006

By	Gareth (Melbourne, Vic, Australia) - See all my reviews

Her first album was brilliant! Here comes a pretty and eccentric young lass with an unusual vocal talent, surprisingly profound lyrics that she wrote and some bizarre yet catchy and exotic music. I was delighted to find that her second album, though it wasn't as fresh and polished as her first, she was taking her unique style of music to another level. She incorporated new instrumental elements and the album overall came across soft, mature and bittersweet. Now, with her third album - she has taken two major steps backwards. Gone are her tradmark exotic sound samples, textures and creative beats. It seems she's sacrificed her originality for something more commercial. Commercial doesn't necessarily always mean 'cheap and conformist' - but in this case it's borderline. The only thing saving her is her voice, sense of humour and adventure and the fact that beneath this new-found sex-appeal she isn't completely one-dimensional like so many other poptarts who project an image of skankiness. I see this as Nelly's desperate attempt to win-over new fans and become popular because her last album was quite low-profile. Still, in the process, I think it's a shame she needs to dumb herself down to do so because her true loyal fans liked her already because of her intelligence and substance. There's definitely soul lacking in these tracks. The only good ones that showcase some true classic-Nelly talent are:

Afraid.
Say It Right.
Tu Busque.
All Good Things.

110 of 142 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The cd to dance to, June 20, 2006

By	Danielle (Illinois) - See all my reviews

This is my first Nelly Furtado and I love it! I've followed her career but I've never bought her two previous cds. This cd is perfect for when you're just in the mood to dance and don't care what anyone thinks.
1.Afraid-I love this song. It's a great song to start the cd off and I love the chorus. 5/5

2.Maneater-I saw Nelly perform this on SNL and it was awesome. I really like the end of the song. I got the Target edition of "Loose" that has the Maneater music video on it and I can tell this song is going to do really well. It's an ode to those man-eaters out there. 5/5

3.Promiscuous-it's the hit single that is everywhere. This song is so good and my favorite on the cd. 5/5

4.Glow-I like this track but not as much as the first three tracks on the cd. I have a feeling this song is going to grow on me though. The sound is like the dance tempo on the first 3 song. 4/5

5.Showtime-this is the first slower tempo song on the cd. It's pretty good song and good one to either wind down on a night out or to take a breather. 5/5

6.No hay igual-this song picks up the tempo. It kind of reminds me of a Shakira type of song. But it's very good and it's in Spanish. 5/5

7.Te Busque-the second slower tempo song on the disc. I like it a lot, especially the chorus. 5/5

8.Say it right-Love, love it, love it. The beat is unbelievable. I know it's going to be one of my favorites. 5/5

9.Do it-Another dance song. It's very cool and it kind of reminds me of a 80's song a bit. 5/5

10. In God's hands-a very sweet ballad. The song is just great. 5/5

11. Wait for you-this song has Middle Eastern sound to it. It's not one of my favorites so far on the cd but it's not bad. 4/5

12.All good things(come to an end)- Oh gosh, I love this song! It's down tempo and I really love the lyrics. Nelly sounds really sweet. 5/5

13. Te Busque(Spanish version)-this version is just as good as the English version. 5/5

I am so glad I bought this cd. I know it's going to be in my cd player a lot. So if you're new to Nelly-like me- and like the song Promiscuous or a huge fan who has followed her for years this cd is a must.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BRILLANCE written all over it!!!!! way to go NELLY!!!!, September 12, 2006

By	PHUNKlamb (sugarland, TX USA) - See all my reviews

nelly has definatley come a long time since here hit 'i'm like a bird'. she has had very few hits along the way, but her latest LOOSE is off the chain for real. this LP is similar to a THRILLER album. in which all the songs on the album has hit potential. thanx to production with timberland he had another hot one under his belt.

argubally my favourite song is 'promiscuious' this duet is probably one of the best ones since brandy & monica's 1998 "BF" 'the boy is mine'. the production is out of this world. i love the beat!!! its just INSANE to come up with a beat like that...

'maneater' is another car banger in my ride..... what she is talkin about in this joint is so true and the beat behind it does not hurt either.

other bangers on this album: 'showtime' 'glow' 'no hay igual' 'afraid' and 'all good things'.

timberland has not done such good music with anyone since aaliyah last MASTERPIECE before her passing.

just brilliant production on the entire album and i recommend this album to anyone that wants to have a good time listenin to GREAT universial music.

5++++ stars out of 5