Hilary Duff: Breathe In. Breathe Out. (Standard, Deluxe, and Fanjoy Edition) Album Review

 I meant to do this review days ago but I lost track of time.  Anyway, today I'll be reviewing Hilary Duff's new album, "Breathe In. Breathe Out.".  Hilary had taken a long break from recording music before the album was released.  In fact the album is Hilary's first album since her last album, "Dignity" was released 8 years (if count "Best of Hilary Duff" than it's been 7 years).  Either way it's a relief to finally hear new music from her.  For this review I'll be reviewing the standard, the deluxe, and the fanjoy editions of the album and I'll be giving each edition a different score so without further adieu, here's my track by track review:

1) Sparks: This song was initially the third single from the album but when the first two singles weren't included on the standard edition, it became the first single from the album.  The song is very catchy, is fun to dance to, and will hopefully become a hit on radio.  I didn't really like the video, not because it showed her on her Tinder dates, but because her hair color made her look strange.  The song overall is great and a perfect way to start the album off.  10/10

2) My Kind: When I first heard this song, I thought it sounded a little bit like "Taylor Swift's" song, "Style".  The song is very catchy and another really great song.  10/10

3) One In a Million: This song sounds like something "Tove Lo" would release, which funny because she co-wrote this song.  The song is a mid-tempo ballad and it instantly became one of my favorites on the album.  10/10

4) Confetti: The first few seconds of the song sounded very similar to "Girls Aloud's" single, "Untouchable".  That being said, this song is an amazing pop/party song that should be released as the second single.  I love the "Heaven is a Place on Earth" sample, it just makes a song perfect.  10/10

5) Breathe In. Breathe Out.: From a happy upbeat song to a dark mid-tempo ballad.  The song is the title track and it talks about how a relationship that has recently ended and even though you feel sad, you know you'll be okay.  I hope this song will become a single.  10/10

6) Lies: Continuing with a dark vibe, "Lies" is about how Hilary is fed up with her partner's constant b.s. and lies.  It's my favorite song on the album and also one of the songs that Hilary co-wrote, which many explain why you can feel the anger in her voice a little bit on this song.  It is still a brilliant song with a catchy hook.  It needs to be a single too.  10/10

7) Arms Around a Memory: A sad dance-ballad that was written by "Matthew Koma", who also co-wrote the title track and "Confetti" for this album.  The song is about reminiscing about an ex that you still miss.  I love the song but I wish it was a little longer. 10/10

8) Stay in Love: Like "One In a Million" and "Sparks", this song was co-written by "To-Love".  The song is an upbeat pop song where Hilary is questioning how people stay in love with someone when it feels so hard with all the work it comes with.  Again another terrific song.  10/10

9) Brave Heart: After 8 pop/dance songs, the album switches to a folk-pop sound that Hilary initially started with (I'll get to that part later).  The song is about how being out of a relationship and although you're a little scared of being alone, you'll be okay because you're strong.  The song took a couple of listens before I started to like it.  9/10

10) Tattoo: When Hilary was working on a folk-pop album, this song was one of the songs that was almost the first single from the album.  While the folk-pop was somewhat scrapped, this song was put on this album.  The song was co-written by "Ed Sheeran" who provides background vocals on this song.  Like "Brave Heart", this song took a couple of listens before I started to like it.  9/10

11) Picture This: Before the album was released, I noticed on most of the forums that people felt this song was the weakest song on the album.  I didn't want to believe that and when I first heard the whole album I was sad that I have to agree.  The lyrics are great but the overall song is weak compared to the other songs on the album.  It has grown on me a little bit though.  6/10

12) Night Like This (featuring Kendall Schmidt): This is the last song on the standard edition of the album.  The song features "Kendall Schmidt" from "Big Time Rush" and "Heffron Drive".  I don't listen to either band so I had no idea what to expect with this song.  Thankfully the song is amazing.  Kendall and Hilary's vocals work perfectly on this amazing song.  10/10

 These next two tracks are on the deluxe version of the album:

13) Belong: This song has a folk-pop sound to it like the last 4 songs on the standard edition of the album.  To me, song kinda feels like combination "fun.'s" "Some Nights" and "Taylor Swift's" "New Romantics".  It's a pretty good song.  9/10

14) Rebel Hearts: I was really excited about this song because it was co-written by "Kara DioGuardi", who co-wrote a majority of Hilary's last album "Dignity" with Hilary.  The song blends both folk-pop with dance-pop and sounds very similar to Avicii's "Wake Me Up".  Still an amazing song that should've been on the standard edition.  10/10

 These next four tracks are available if you bought the fanjoy edition of the album:

1) Chasing the Sun: This song was initially the first single from the album but it didn't make the standard edition of the album.  I was kinda glad it didn't make the standard edition because I feel it's a boring song.  "Colbie Calliat" co-wrote this song and I think that the song would've sounded better if Colbie sang instead of Hilary.  I'm not saying Hilary's voice is bad because she has a great voice, I just feel this song is suited more for Colbie than Hilary.  4/10

2) All About You: The song was initially the second single from the album but like "Chasing the Sun", it didn't make the standard edition of the album.  Thankfully it was available on the fanjoy version of the album (as well as iTunes).  I love this and I feel it's way better than "Chasing the Sun".  The video was pretty good.  10/10

3) Outlaw: A snippet of this song was played on Hilary's show "Younger".  Sadly when Hilary revealed the name of the song on "twitter" she said that it wouldn't be on the album.  Thankfully she put it on the fanjoy version of the album.  It has a folk-pop sound to it, which makes me wonder why Hilary didn't just put out a folk-pop album first and then release a pop album afterward.  It was surprising to hear her swear on the first verse but the song is still amazing.  9/10


4) Chasing the Sun (Dave Aude Remix): Sadly the remixed version of this song doesn't do anything for me.  4/10

 It's good that Hilary finally released a new album, however before the album was released there were over 20 tracks that were recorded for the album.  This is because Hilary had originally recorded a folk-pop album that was set to be released in October 2014, but that didn't happen.  And even though there are overall 17 songs on this album, there are still 21 (or 20) songs that didn't make the album.  These are the known titles of the songs:

"17", "Better Days", "Hurts", "Northern Star", "Feel Alive", "If I Fall", "This Heart", "Falling", "Whistling Dixie", "Carry On", "Where the Gods Play", "Take It for What It Is", "Before the Light Changes", "It All Starts Tonight", "Tearing Down Walls", "Snow Globe", "Wild Night Out", "Wherever You Go", "When We Were Young", "Breathing Room", and "Rebel Heart" (which was likely re-titled as "Rebel Hearts" for the album but I felt it needed to be mentioned anyway.  I'm hoping Hilary will release another album with these songs on it because I've been wanting to hear "Northern Star" since she posted a picture of the lyrics on her instagram.

 Overall Hilary Duff's "Breathe In. Breathe Out." was worth the 8 year wait.  I hope she doesn't wait 8 years to release another album.  My favorite songs on the album are: "Lies", "Breathe In. Breathe Out.", "All About You", "Confetti", Stay In Love", "One In a Million", "My Kind", "Rebel Hearts", "Arms Around a Memory", "Night Like This (featuring Kendall Schmidt)", "Belong", and "Sparks".  So basically I love the whole album.  For the standard edition, out of 120 points I give the album 114 points which is 95% making it an A+.  For the deluxe edition's score, out of 140 points I give the album 133 points which funny enough ends up being a 95% as well, another A+.  For the fanjoy edition of the album, out of 160 points I give the album 141 points which i 88%, a B+.  This is an amazing album and if you haven't got the album yet, then go out and buy it because it's one of the best albums that has been released this year!

Hilary Duff: Best of Hilary Duff

 I typed in my last review that I'd be reviewing Hilary Duff's "Best of Hilary Duff" today.  I'm doing this for two reasons.  One because I'm a fan and two, because I had a lot of stuff to do today and not much time to do a review.  "Best of Hilary Duff" was made to end Hilary's contract with Hollywood Records after the label scrapped the plan to re-release "Dignity" so that led Hilary to release "Best of Hilary Duff" since her contract with the label expected one more album.  So here's my track by track review of the album:

1) Reach Out: This was the first and only single released from the album.  It also features a rap from a rapper called Prophet.  The song also samples the song "Personal Jesus" from Depeche Mode.  The video was more racy then any of her other videos.  9/10

2) Holiday: Another new song.  This was supposed to be the second single from the album but it was cancelled.  The song was written by Hilary, Haylie Duff, and OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder.  Sad that it wasn't a single.  10/10

3) Stranger: The third and final single from "Dignity".  I reviewed the song yesterday in my review for "Dignity".  Still love the song.  10/10

4) With Love: The second single from "Dignity".  I reviewed this song yesterday as well.  I'm glad this song is on here though.  10/10

5) Play With Fire: The first single from "Dignity".  I reviewed this song yesterday as well but I did forget to mention something in my review for it.  The song's video was filmed before the actual song was completed because she wanted it to be the first single from "Dignity".  How crazy is that?  8/10

6) Wake Up: While it was the first single from "Most Wanted" and is one of her highest charting singles, I still don't like it.  5/10

7) Fly: The first single from "Hilary Duff".  While I gave it a 9 on both my reviews for "Hilary Duff" and "Most Wanted", I've been listening to it a lot more and decided to give it a 10.  10/10

8) Come Clean (Remix): Why is it that this song is always remixed?  The original is way better and should've been on here instead.  6/10

9) So Yesterday: The first single (or second if you count "Why Not", yes I'm doing this again) from "Metamorphosis".  While it's more disney sounding then the rest of the album it's still good to see it on here.  10/10

10) Why Not: The first single from both "Metamorphosis" and the "Lizzie McGuire Movie".  I reviewed it already on "Most Wanted" and it's still really good.  10/10

11) Reach Out (Remix): A remix of the first single from the album.  To me it sounds boring and I prefer the original.  8/10

12) Holiday: (Remix): Another remix.  This song however is really good.  I'm not sure whether I like this version or the original more.  It also make me wonder again, why wasn't "Holiday" a single?!?!?!  10/10

 Since Hollywood Records didn't promote to the album, it didn't chart very well.  This was probably because the label knew Hilary was going to leave the label and not renew her contract with them.  My favorite songs on this album are: "Holiday", "Holiday (Remix)", "Stranger", "With Love", "Play With Fire", "Why Not', "Fly", "So Yesterday", and "Reach Out".  Out of 120 points I give the album 106 which is 88%, a B+.  Awesome!  Can't wait for her new album.

Hilary Duff: Dignity Album Review

 Today I'm reviewing another one of Hilary Duff's albums.  This time it will be "Dignity" which was released in 2007, written mostly by Hilary herself, and so far to date it is her last album of new material until she releases her new album hopefully sometime this year.  Here's my track by track review of "Dignity":

1) Stranger: The third and final single from the album.  Rumors were that this song was about her ex-boyfriend at the time Joel Madden but in fact it written about her father.  Wow.  The song was much darker compared to Hilary's other songs.  Despite being her lowest charting single, the song and video were great.  10/10

2) Dignity: The title track.  This song was rumored to be about Nicole Richie but it is actually about people in Hollywood who have no dignity at all.  Although the song is kinda boring, I can't help but like the lyrics.  10/10

3) With Love: The second single from the album.  This song wasn't supposed to be on the album at all.  In fact Hilary wrote and recorded it only for her fragrance, "With Love... Hilary Duff".  In the end the song was put on the album and became Hilary's highest charting single in the U.S.  The video was good although it ended with Hilary and her co-star in an elevator falling down and a "to be continued" at the end.  10/10

4) Danger: "Were you born in '74, are the kind of guy that I should ignore?"  Interesting way to begin a song.  This song was inspired by a friend of Hilary who had a relationship with an older man.  I hated the song at first but over the years it's become one of my favorite songs on the album.  Like "Stranger" this song also has a dark tone to it.  10/10

5) Gypsy Woman: This song is my favorite song on the album.  This song was also rumored to be about Nicole Richie but it was about her father, just like "Stranger".  The song was supposed to be the fourth single from the album but for dome reason it was cancelled.  It was released as a promo single though.  10/10

6) Never Stop: Just when you think the album doesn't have a boring song on here, you here this one.  I feel that "Never Stop" is just repetitive and boring.  While I love the message, the overall song is weak.  7/10

7) No Work, All Play: Lyrically it's a great song, but it's production is kinda bland.  On top of that Hilary sounds bored on this song.  8/10

8) Between You and Me: Yawn.  I'm not a fan of this song either.  7/10

9) Dreamer: Probably the most pop sounding song on this album.  It's about a stalker but it's written in a tongue-in-cheek way.  Even though the second verse is kinda boring I don't mind it and I like this song.  10/10

10) Happy: "Happy" was one of the first songs mentioned on the album.  The song is about getting over a breakup.  It's perfect to listen to if you're having a bad day.  I also like the violin parts in the song.  10/10

11) Burned: "I've got an imaginary shield around me, but nobody's ever really gotten through."  That's deep.  I think that part is about how it can be hard to trust people.  Either way the song is still pretty good.  10/10

12) Outside of You: This was the only song on the album that Hilary didn't write.  This song was actually written by Pink.  The song is more pop/rock as opposed to the rest of this album being mainly dance but I like that it's different.  10/10

13) I Wish: Oh how I relate to this song to well.  "I wish that I could be like, I was before".  This was my favorite song on the album when I first got it and I still like it 7 years later.  I love the guitar solo near the end of the song.  10/10

14) Play With Fire: The first single from the album.  Initially the song was called "Happy" was it's lyrics and instrumentals were changed and "Happy" became a different song and track #10 on this album, although a sample of the original version of "Happy" is played in the film "Material Girls".  I liked "Play With Fire" in the beginning but after I heard the rock mix version of this I thought the the original version wasn't as good as the rock mix version.  Still like the song though.  8/10

 "Dignity" was supposed to be re-released with remixes and two new songs but that was scrapped and Hilary ended up releasing "Best of Hilary Duff" to leave her label.  My favorite songs on this album are: "Gypsy Woman", "Danger", "Stranger", "Happy", "With Love", "I Wish", "Dreamer", and "Play With Fire".  Out of 140 points I give the album 130 points which is 92%, an A.  Awesome!  Just a heads up, tomorrow I'll be reviewing Hilary Duff's "Best of Hilary Duff" album.

Hilary Duff: Most Wanted (The Collector's Signature Edition) Album Review

 Once again, I will be reviewing a Hilary Duff album.  This time it will be her first greatest hits album, "Most Wanted (The Collector's Edition)".  The album came as a surprise to many because Hilary had only released two albums and a couple singles.  The album included some of her singles, some songs from her first two albums, four new songs, and a few songs that were remixed.  Here is my track by track review.

1) Wake Up: The first single from the greatest hits album.  It's boring.  It feels like Hilary didn't put much effort into singing this song.  5/10

2) The Getaway: I already reviewed this song on the "Hilary Duff" album review.  10/10

3) Beat of My Heart: The second single from the album.  It's worse than "Wake Up".  Bad choice to even put it on an album.  3/10

4) Come Clean (Remix 2005): "Come Clean" was the second single (or third single if you count "Why Not") from Hilary's first album, "Metamorphosis".  The song is given a techno dance remix which is good to dance to but it would've been good to hear the original version instead.  8/10

5) Who's That Girl (Acoustic Version): The original version of the song was on "Hilary Duff".  It sounds virtually the same as the original version.  I like that she did an acoustic version of a song on this album, even if it was this one.  8/10

6) Mr. James Dean: Reviewed it already on "Hilary Duff".  8/10

7) So Yesterday: The first single (or second if you count "Why Not") from her first album "Metamorphosis".  Unlike "Come Clean", the wasn't remixed and I'm glad because it's a good song that doesn't need to be remixed.  10/10

8) Metamorphosis: The title track of her first album "Metamorphosis".  I didn't hear the song until I bought this album.  Hilary had co-written the song and it's really good.  Even though it wasn't a single I'm glad it's on here because it's a song people can relate to.  10/10

9) Rock This World (Remix 2005): Another song that has been remixed.  Thankfully it sounds better than the original version that was on "Hilary Duff".  It has more of a rock sound than the original version.  10/10

10) Break My Heart: The third new song on the album.  Unlike "Wake Up" and "Beat of Me Heart", which were pop, "Break My Heart" has more of a rock feel to it.  It feels like something Avril Lavigne or Ashlee Simpson would've sang.  I love it!  10/10

11) Jericho (Remix 2005): WHAT THE HELL?!?!?!  Why did they remix this song?  Not only is the beat distracting but it takes away the emotion that was in her vocals on the original version.  Bad choice of remixing an amazing song.  The original version was on "Hilary Duff".  4/10

12) Fly: Already reviewed this song on "Hilary Duff".  9/10

13) Supergirl: If you bought the collector's signature edition of the album, not only did you get "Who's That Girl" (Acoustic Version) and "Jericho (Remix 2005)", but you'll get this song.  It is the fourth new song and was supposed to be released as the third overall single from the album.  Sadly Hilary's schedule wouldn't allow her to release a third single and this song ended up being released as a download only single.  Shame, since it was better than "Wake Up" and "Beat of My Heart".  10/10

14) Party Up (Remix 2005): What up with these remixes?  Anyway the original version was on her first album, "Metamorphosis".  On this version the song sounds so strange.  Also are Timbaland's vocals being played in the background?  "Little Voice", her third single (fourth if you count "Why Not") from "Metamorphosis" should've been on here instead of this song.  6/10

15) Girl Can Rock: Believe it or not the song has actually been remixed, giving it more of a rock sound.  Surprising it's not noted as being remixed on the album.  Strange.  The original version of the song is on the "A Cinderella Story" soundtrack.  10/10

16) Our Lips Are Sealed: This song is cover, it was originally performed by The Go-Go's.  The song was released as the only single from "A Cinderella Story", which was a movie Hilary started in.  The song also features her sister Haylie Duff.  8/10

17) Why Not (Remix 2005): Another remix?  Seriously?!  Thankfully this song is a good one.  In fact it's so good it's kind of hard to tell the differences between this one and the original.  The original version was released as a single from "The Lizzie McGuire Movie", which Hilary stared in, as the first single (and also the first single from "Metamorphosis" if you count it.  Just thought I'd throw it in there.  Haha!)  10/10

 In the end "Most Wanted (The Collector's Edition)" is good to have if you're a Hilary Duff fan, but was still a questionable release.  My favorite songs on the album are: "Break My Heart", "Rock This World (Remix 2005)", "The Getaway", "Supergirl", "Why Not (Remix 2005), "Metamorphosis", "So Yesterday", and "Girl Can Rock".  Out of 170 points I give it 129 points which is 75%, a C.  Still pretty good!

Hilary Duff: Hilary Duff Album Review

 Before Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and Demi Lovato became stars on Disney channel with Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place, and Sonny with a Chance, Hilary Duff was around with her show Lizzie McGuire.  Over the years Hilary has released a couple albums, done some TV shows and movies, got married, had a kid, and is now working on a new album.  On top of that she's also managed to remain a positive model through the years.  Today I'll be reviewing second album, the self-titled "Hilary Duff" which was released after 10 years ago, so here's my track by track review.

1) Fly: This was the album's first single and in some places in the world it was the only single from the album.  The video featured Hilary performing at her "Most Wanted" concert tour.  Although an uplifting song it failed to chart on the billboard charts.  9/10

2) Do You Want Me?: When I bought the album, this song was one of the songs I skipped.  A year later I gave it a chance and was pleasantly surprised.  The verses start slow with an upbeat chorus.  Very pop/rock and different from her last album.  9/10

3) Weird: This was apparently Hilary's favorite song on the album.  At one point she even wanted it to be a single.  She did get her wish but it was only released in Spain.  The name of the song title says it all.  It's just WEIRD.  No other way to describe it.  7/10

4) Hide Away: An amazing ballad.  Although she struggles trying hit some notes in the chorus the song is great, especially the third verse.  I would've loved to see a video for it.  10/10

5) Mr. James Dean: One of the three songs that Hilary wrote as well as her sister Haylie.  The song was rumored to be about her ex-boyfriend Aaron Carter.  Hilary never confirmed or denied it though.  Lyrically it's great but vocally it's alright.  It'd be great if she didn't shouting the parts she does in the chorus and at the end of the song.  8/10

6) Underneath This Smile: "Underneath This Smile, my world is slowly caving in".  How many people can relate to this?  I know I can.  On this song Hilary doesn't sing the first two verse but instead does spoken word but just saying them.  Although it fits the song it kind of takes away the message of the song.  8/10

7) Dangerous to Know: I wouldn't have expected Hilary to do a song like this since it has a done-undertone to it.  It seems like an outtake that Evanescence or Kelly Clarkson did.  Although it's perfect for Halloween, it's hard to believe Hilary singing a song so dark when she's known for her Disney background.  8/10

8) Who's That Girl?: Another song that I used to skip.  Although the music to the song is great it takes a couple of listens before you think it's a decent song.  It tells a great story though.  7/10

9) Shine: It seems that the theme of this album was self-empowerment with song like this one, "Underneath This Smile", and "Fly".  I like this song and after "Who's That Girl", it's good to hear a happy song like this.  9/10

10) I Am: "I'm an angel, I'm a devil, I am sometimes in between".  With lyrics that are so relatable, it's hard not to listen to it.  It is strange, however that the song was written by Diane Warren who is known for writing songs for Toni Braxton, Brandy, and Celine Dion.  It was released as a single to Radio Disney but didn't have a video.  9/10

11) The Getaway: This was supposed to be the second single from the album but apparently do to what some people called "a sudden drop" in sales for the album, the single ended up being cancelled.  That really sucks especially when it was a great song and probably would've been a hit on radio.  Although it did get some airplay, it's a shame we never got a video or full release as a single for the song.  10/10

12) Cry: This song is kinda boring.  I always skip it.  4/10

13) Haters: This song was also co-written by both Hilary and Haylie Duff.  The song gained a lot of controversy when it was rumored to be about Hilary's supposed rival, Lindsay Lohan.  Hilary said that wasn't about her though.  At one point Hilary had considered releasing the song as the second single from the album (maybe that's why I heard it on my radio a few times in '04), but she changed her mind to releasing "Weird".  I wonder if it was because of the controversy that "Haters" got that she changed her mind.  Hmmm...  10/10

14) Rock This World: This was the third song that Hilary co-wrote and she co-wrote it without her sister.  It sounds like a mixture of bubblegum pop mixed with pop rock music.  The song was later remixed for her greatest hits album "Most Wanted".  I have to say this version of the song is not as good as the version on "Most Wanted".  8/10

15) Someone's Watching Over Me: If you saw Hilary's film, "Raise Your Voice", then you know this song.  It was released as the second single in Australia.  The song did have a video but the video was the performance scene taken from the film.  8/10

16) Jericho: Like the previous song, this song was also in "Raise Your Voice" where it's heard in the beginning and at the end of the movie.  It's my favorite song on the album and I wish it was released as a single in the U.S.  A remixed version of the song was released as a single in Japan though.  10/10

17) The Last Song: Hilary's sister, Haylie co-wrote this one.  The song, being less than a minute and a half, serves as an outro for the record.  I question why it's on here since it's not really needed.  4/10

 Hilary had attempted to make this album more rock than her first album, "Metamorphosis", and although it's pretty good it does feel like she tried to make it sound like something Avril Lavigne or Ashlee Simpson would've released.  But that's probably one of the reasons why I like this album so much.  My favorite songs are: Jericho, Haters, The Getaway, Hide Away, Rock This World, Fly, Shine, Mr. James Dean and Underneath This Smile.  Out of 170 points I give the album 136 which is 80%, a B.  Awesome job Hilary and I can't wait for the album!