Alongside pouring out the latest in Pop culture, here at That Grape Juice we’ve long championed the unchampioned and celebrate the uncelebrated.
Hence, with this week bringing with it the 10th anniversary of Christina Aguilera‘s ‘Lotus’ album, we feel it pertinent to toast the criminally underrated project.
Released on November 13, 2012, the LP admittedly arrived sans a distinguished, overarching theme. A first (in a long while) for an Xtina LP at the time. It lacked the deeply personal skew of a ‘Stripped,’ the soulful nod to eras past that both ‘Back 2 Basics’ and ‘Burlesque’ brought us, and it largely did away with the experimental buoyance of ‘Bionic.’
Still, from our vantage point, it was a wholly enjoyable jukebox of jams, with its sole sins being questionable marketing and arriving in a climate that was dominated by other Pop divas.
Standalone, it houses some of Aguilera’s strongest tracks in years – a number of which would be well-placed in her ever-and-always setlist of essentials.
Join us after the jump where we revisit some of our favorites…
Your Body
Rightfully serviced as the album’s lead single, this blaring ball of brilliance is Christina at her melismatic best. From the infectious hook to the unbridled power of her belting, she alleviated any fan worry about teaming with Pop’s mass-used and ever-dependable hitmaker Max Martin.
For, she paired his almost scientific approach to crafting an undeniable radio hit with her Aguilera sauce – and the results were both delicious and uniquely “her” in a way others can’t replicate. Still.
Note: We, the people, are owed (yes, owed) a proper live performance of this classic. No remixes, sped-up, or tampered versions. No. A back-to-front live take on this absolute bop!
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Sing For Me
Somewhat of a polarizer, we’ve long loved ‘Sing For Me.’
Select critics bemoaned the track for being sonically indulgent and arguably overcooked. However, for us, that’s its exact appeal. After all, it’s all in the name.
Rather than being another lovelorn ballad, Xtina sings for Xtina and empowers herself in a wholly compelling way.
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Just A Fool
Oftentimes when artists drop albums that fuse various sounds, there runs the risk of songs standing out for the wrong reasons or the project presenting as a collection of random cuts thrown together.
In other instances, flirtations with “other” genres result in unexpected gems.
Case in point Country-kissed cut ‘Just A Fool.’
A collaboration with Blake Shelton, the track sees the stars (who, at the time, were both coaches on The Voice) trade verses on the emotive anthem.
At the time of its release, it was growing into a burgeoning hit. And we’re not quite over the plug being pulled prematurely.
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Blank Page
Is it really a “Christina” album without a soaring, emotionally-wrought ballad?
‘Blank Page’ fulfills this requirement and then some.
Rousing, resonant, and lyrically astute, this has etched itself onto the list of Xtina’s most moving musical moments.
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Let There Be Love
Perhaps the most timestamped track on the LP, given its unashamed embrace of the “in” sound at the time (see: EDM-Pop), ‘Let There Be Love’ still manages to pack a potent punch to this day.
Though a touch generic, the track compensates with vocal pyrotechnics that marvel in earnest as well as a melody that defines infectious.
In the decade since its release, Xtina has integrated the Max Martin x Shellback number as a firm fixture in her live shows. Rightfully so. We’re just hoping that more from ‘Lotus’ follows suit.
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What’s your take on ‘Lotus’ a decade on? Do you agree with our picks? Let us know…