|With a starring role on NBC’s ‘The Voice’, things appear to be looking up for Christina Aguilera. Indeed, while promoting the much hyped show show – which kicks off tomorrow, the singer revealed that she’s in a more positive space.
The last 12 months, which saw her ‘Bionic’ album tank, as well as her marriage and career crumble, have been a learning experience – Aguilera says. One which we’ll see incorprated into her upcoming new LP – which she is already recording.
Full story after the jump…
Via USA Today:
“The last year has probably, with the divorce and considering everything that’s gone on, has humbled me a little bit,” she says with a laugh.Aguilera says The Voice represents a new beginning for her in every sense. The concept of the show intrigued her and took her back to why she started singing. “Being in this business for quite a few years now, sometimes you do take things for granted. I’ve had my ups and I’ve had my downs. You have to take the good with the bad in this business. It gets me back to the root of why I got into this business, and that’s real, raw talent,” says Aguilera, 30.The show films in Los Angeles and has allowed Aguilera to stay near her son, Max, 3, and record her new album. The next release, Aguilera says, will focus on her personal evolution.“For this one, I really want to make a real rooted, heartfelt record. After someone goes through the things that I have, regarding a divorce, there’s a lot of emotions that are stirred,” she says.Aguilera, whose towering talent has never been questioned, says she keeps right on going, even when things get tough.“I prove to myself that I’m stronger than just to let things take over me, and take over my head space,” Aguilera says. “I’m very honest with myself in seeing if there are things that I need to change about my life, or if there are things I need to do stepping forward.“That’s in part why I got the divorce. It’s a new beginning for me. It’s all positivity for me. I’ve been through some hard things, but I’m on the up and up. “The advice she would most want to impart to the contestants she’s coaching on her team? To always follow your gut and focus on why you’re making music. It’s not about the freebies or the fame.“There’s so much in the media and in the press, opportunities to get swayed. That’s why I stay so far away from reading anything about myself.“I love to sing. It’s what moves me and inspires me. To be able to do that is a gift.”
Kudos to Christina for pressing on. It already looks like she’s on the right path; for, not only is she not waiting another 4 years before serving up another project, she’s appears to be recording music with some depth. After all, ‘Bionic’ was not a bad record – at least not to the degree it was made out to be. However, what was vitally missing was any kind of authentic musical grit; the sort you’d expect from self-appreciative singer-songwriter of Christina’s caliber. Put simply, from the lyrical content, to the production, to the supposed “futuristic” slant, it all seemed somewhat contrived and forced.
While the last few years have seen Christina adamant on changing her sound and image with each project, both she and her team failed to see what made her ‘Stripped’ album her most appreciated to date. Not any gimmick, nor specific sound or look. Rather, it was lyrical depth, honesty, and more over a brand of ‘real’ which allowed tracks like ‘The Voice Within’ to sit effortlessly beside songs such as ‘Dirty’.
Here’s hoping she rediscovers that formula, which – in reality – isn’t a formula at all.
