XSCAPE is the rebirth of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop
From his unique dance moves to his renowned pop music, Michael Jackson always kept his audience entertained. Ever since his death on June 25, 2009, fans have been longing for the King of Pop’s return.
Epic Records, an American record label associated with Sony, announced the official release of XSCAPE, an album filled with a collection of unreleased songs by Michael Jackson, to be scheduled for May 13.
XSCAPE is the second album of unreleased songs by Jackson that were compiled after his death. The standard album consists of eight songs that have been edited by producers such as Timbaland, Stargate, and Jerkins. The deluxe edition of the album includes the eight edited songs, as well as the original versions of the songs.
As of now, two songs from XSCAPE have officially been released on iTunes. An edited version of Jackson’s “Love Never Felt So Good” produced by hip-hop and R&B artist Timbaland, as well as a remix of it featuring pop and R&B star Justin Timberlake, are available for purchase.
The enhanced versions of the original songs fuse various genres of music, such as hip-hop, jazz, and techno, with Jackson’s traditional pop style. For example, the original version of “Love Never Felt So Good” previously lacked a beat and was mainly focused on Jackson’s vocals. The reproduction of the song incorporates a catchy beat with strong bass that adds a structure to the pop song without diminishing the focus around the lead vocals.
By having Justin Timberlake feature in it, the remix of “Love Never Felt So Good” creates an agreeable combination that blends modern pop with Jackson’s unique modification of the genre.
Although not as exceptional as other Jackson classics such as “Smooth Criminal” and “Black or White,” the lyrics of the released songs from XSCAPE are decent. They do not fully develop a story or a theme that a listener can empathize with.
XSCAPE can currently be pre-ordered or bought on May 13, the official release date of the album.
Varun Baldwa is a senior and Managing editor for TALON Yearbook. This is Varun's fourth year on staff. In his free time, Varun enjoys volunteering, listening...