Complicated (EU)

Nearly four years passed between Nivea's first and second albums. Despite the wait, there isn't a whole lot that separates the two. The self-titled debut was more consistent than most of the reviews led you to believe, full of light and breezy songs, even with all the various producers involved. Though three charting singles -- one major, two minor -- were spun off from it, it didn't make that much of an impact and wound up lost in the shuffle. In order to make her name more known than ever, Nivea had to hit back here with something big and/or gimmicky. That move was attempted and more or less executed with the soft crunk of "Okay," produced by Lil Jon, whose exposure was beyond saturation when the single was released. The remainder of Complicated contains a couple should-be successful singles (including the unbearably corny/charming "Parking Lot"), but it's far too patchy to be considered better than the debut. More sexually upfront and as sweet-voiced as ever, Nivea still needs more than a couple hot producers and guest MCs to truly stick out. ~ Andy Kellman|

〈スキヤキ〉のメロディーを採り入れた先行シングル“Okay”でリル・ジョンとヤングブラッズを迎え、変わらぬアトランタっ子ぶりを発揮してくれたニヴェアの、約2年ぶりとなるセカンド・アルバム。私生活では結婚～妊娠という大きな変化を経験した彼女だが、今作にはそのお相手であるテリアス“ザ・ドリーム”ナッシュも制作面で大きく関わっている。また、彼女自身もほとんどの曲でソングライティングに参加し、スタイリスティックスやアイズレー・ブラザーズらの名曲ネタもの、レゲトン風味などキャッチーで色彩豊かなトラック群に乗る、素直に湧き出る気持ちを込めたヴォーカルが実に堂々と主張。前作から格段の成長を窺わせるその存在感には、R・ケリーやジャーメイン・デュプリらヒットメイカーの名も霞むほどだ。はちきれんばかりの充実ぶりにリアルな彼女らしさを感じられる作品。俗に言う2作目のなんとやら……の心配は無用でした!
bounce (C)佐藤 ともえ