Now

To truly appreciate this album one must understand how long it’s been since Shania Twain released her last studio album, UP!, and everything she’s been through in those 15 years. For a little perspective—Barack Obama was a state senator from Illinois, Taylor Swift wasn’t even a teenager yet, and Facebook was two years away from taking off. In that time, Shania lost her husband/producer to an affair he was having with her best friend. She contracted Lyme disease which led to neurological damage to her vocal chords. It’s been a long 15 years with epic highs and lows. She’s remarried now, and she’s achieved a lot in those 15 years professionally despite being out of the limelight. She had an epic Vegas residency from 2012-2014, and a record breaking tour in 2015.Aptly titled, Shania’s new album reflects what she’s been through and where she is Now. As she’s stated in interviews, this is not a divorce album. Sure, there are references in many of the songs, but this album is so much more. It’s a remarkable journey of strength, endurance, and perseverance in spite of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.The album starts off with the rocking “Swingin’ With My Eyes Closed” which she says came from the fighter within her. That fighting spirit is evidenced in many of the album’s 16 tracks, along with typical Shania optimism. She doesn’t shy away from the heartbreak and sadness, though. There are plenty of songs that will leave you devastated.Shania has a history of breaking down barriers and not neatly fitting into rigid labels, and Now highlights that in the best way. The blending of genres is one of Shania’s greatest strengths. The music doesn’t need to be defined by a style other than Shania herself. She is her own genre, and there’s something for everyone. There’s country, dance, gospel pop, R&B, and even reggae influences on this album.Admittedly, my expectations were high for Shania’s comeback. I, and other Shania fans, have waited patiently and we all had high hopes. All of those expectations were exceeded even with the preview tracks and the release of the first two singles. After getting to experience the album as a whole, I was more than satisfied. From start to finish this album is truly a masterpiece and a gift. It’s relatable even when a song’s specific circumstances haven’t been experienced personally.Listening to Now from beginning to end takes the listener on a rollercoaster of emotions, much like Shania (and most people for that matter) has been through over the last decade and a half. There’s a feeling I get when listening to the closing track “All In All” much like the feeling I get when I read a really great novel. I’m so happy to experience the entire thing, but I grieve for it once it’s over. I’m left fulfilled, but still crave more.Shania proves once and for all that she is the driving creative force in her career and has been all along. Many have tried to dismiss her as a puppet, but as the solo songwriter of the entire album, and her first venture in co-producing, her artistry cannot be denied. Now is pop music at its finest.TRACK BY TRACK Review1. “Swingin’ With My Eyes Closed”Written By: Shania Twain / Produced By: Shania Twain and Ron AnielloWhat a banger! From the moment she debuted this song on Today back in June, I was in love with it. It’s got that typical Shania attitude to it, and it’s a great song to kick off the album. The percussion at the beginning is like a hybrid “We Will Rock You” married with throwback Shania classics “Any Man Of Mine” and “Honey, I’m Home,” with a reggae feel thrown in for good measure. It’s a soaring song musically with lush, catchy hooks and background vocals. Also, who else but Shania could create such an epic violin solo in the middle of a song?!2. “Home Now”Written By: Shania Twain / Produced By: Shania Twain, Matthew Koma, and Ron AnielloBreezy, light, and catchy. The perfect song for those that love when Shania shows off her country roots. It’s got a fun acoustic feel with lots of guitar, banjo, fiddles and violins.3. “Light Of My Life”Written By: Shania Twain / Produced By: Shania Twain and Jake GoslingI love the funky groove of the verses of this song, but it really shines when it gets to the chorus. It takes a different pace musically, sounding like a peppy Beck or REM song. The background vocal in the chorus are Shania perfection, along with the “Mhmms” in the verses. The lyrics are all too relatable for anyone (like me) who crushes hard on someone who doesn’t even know they exist.4. “Poor Me”Written: By: Shania Twain / Produced By: Shania Twain and Jake GoslingLyrically, this is one of the rawest songs Shania has ever released. The first time I heard it I was absolutely heartbroken. It’s definitely one of the darkest songs on the album, but set to an R&B infused pop beat with a clever twist of words. So many lyrical phrases on this song send a jolt right to the gut.5. “Who’s Gonna Be Your Girl”Written By: Shania Twain / Produced By: Shania Twain, Matthew Koma, and Ron AnielloVocally this is one of my favorite performances on the album. It showcases Shania’s range and highlights the best parts of her voice. To me it’s a more melodramatic prequel to “Forever And For Always.” I really love the use of the baritone guitar in this song.6. “More Fun”Written By: Shania Twain / Produced By: Shania Twain and Jacquire KingAn understated weekend party anthem. I think of this as a funky follow-up to “C’est La Vie.” Different musically from anything we’ve heard from Shania. Really highlights the diversity of the album.7. “I’m Alright”Written By: Shania Twain / Produced By: Shania Twain and Ron AnielloAnother devastating song lyrically in the verses, but hopeful and optimistic in the chorus. An absolute favorite of mine. The chorus gives me chills and the background vocals on the second verse are fantastic. I love the deep rhyming notes in each verse, too. Beautiful musically – with a cello! Then we get the gospel tinged climactic last chorus (that reminds me of the climax of “I Ain’t Goin’ Down”). It makes me want to repeat it immediately.8. “Let’s Kiss And Make Up” (Deluxe Version only)Written By: Shania Twain / Produced By: Shania Twain, Ron Aniello, and Dan BookFlugelhorns, ukuleles, and Shania, oh my! This is such a fun tropical dance bop. It’s a sweet, but melancholy love song with a perfect groove that makes it impossible to sit still. Reminiscent of Omi’s hit “Cheerleader.” Much deeper lyrically than the music and title suggest.9. “Where Do You Think You’re Going” (Deluxe Version only)Written By: Shania Twain / Produced By: Shania Twain, Ron Aniello and Jake GoslingYou would never know Shania had any vocal issues listening to this song. This is a knockout vocal performance. Lyrically, it’s another devastating song. It starts out as a sultry ballad, but turns into so much more in the choruses. It’s haunting and listening to it gave me chills all over. It’s one of the most emotional and beautiful songs of Shania’s career. I love the soaring crescendo of strings as the song nears its end.10. “Roll Me On The River” (Track 8, Standard Version)Written By: Shania Twain / Produced By: Shania Twain, Matthew Koma, and Ron AnielloAnother funky, genre defying banger from Shania. I love the subtle banjo throughout the song and the violins are put to such great use. A really unique song musically, and totally sexy lyrics. This song is smokin’.11. “We Got Something They Don’t” (Track 9, Standard Version)Written By: Shania Twain / Produced By: Shania Twain and Jacquire KingI love the empowerment of this song lyrically. Musically it is the perfect song to turn up and jam out to. I love the mix of high and low harmony background vocals. I love the horns in the musical break and the fake out—just when you think it’s almost done here comes a kickass trumpet solo, followed by a brilliant final climactic chorus.12. “Because Of You” (Deluxe Version only)Written By: Shania Twain / Produced By: Shania Twain and Jake GoslingA really sweet introspective love song. Understated but beautiful vocal performance.13. “You Can’t Buy Love” (Track 10, Standard Version)Written By: Shania Twain / Produced By: Shania Twain and Jake GoslingOnly Shania can turn the cliché “When life gives you lemons” into something new and clever! This is a fun, upbeat song with a 60s pop/rock feel to it. This song will definitely make you smile, and I love the happy “Yeah!” at the end.14. “Life’s About To Get Good” (Track 11, Standard Version)Written By: Shania Twain / Produced By: Shania Twain, Matthew Koma, and Ron AnielloI’ve been listening to this song for five months now over and over and I still love it each time! I love the depth of the lyrics on the verses and the joyful happy catchiness of the chorus. The banjo throughout this song is so great! I love the gospel musical break in this song, too, and the buildup back to the chorus for the finale. It was a great song for Shania to release first to preview the album and sums up her life in the past few years so well.15. “Soldier” (Track 12, Standard Version)Written By: Shania Twain / Produced By: Shania Twain and Jacquire KingAnother beautiful, sweet ballad. Another powerful vocal performance and haunting musically.16. “All In All” (Deluxe Version only)Written By: Shania Twain / Produced By: Shania Twain and Jacquire KingLyrically this might be my favorite song on the album. It’s so relatable and contemplative. I love the self-reflection and I think it’s a perfect way to wrap up such a raw, personal album. I love the light, lush, tropical feel of the song musically and it reminds me a bit of Toto’s “Africa” in parts.

The first time I listened to SHANIA NOW, I was at a bit of a loss as to what to think about this new side of one of my favorite artists. I initially thought rather negative things like "her voice sounds much lower and not very pretty" and " some of these songs are too dark, too slow, too moody," and "there is very little country flavor here to appease her country fans." I was just a little confused. Then, I listened a second time, and my thoughts were totally different. I recognized that this album contains some darned-good songs; deeper, more gut-wrenchingly personal and honest than anything Shania has written or performed previously, and the quality of the music is superb. Shania is certainly older now, and her voice has changed a little, yet she still sounds like Shania - which means she still has that unique quality to her vocals that only she possesses. The more I listen, the more I appreciate this album; the more I value this new side of Shania Twain. I give the album 5 stars for all that it is, though I seriously doubt it will catch on and become the huge hit Shania and her team might hope for. It is too different. It does not fit into the current pop landscape, sadly in part because mature artists like Shania can't get radio play, and it just isn't country enough to endear Shania to country radio either. As good as this album is - and I definitely think it is FANTASTIC - I wonder where it belongs, where it will be appreciated, if it will get any radio play, and if there are still enough loyal, music-buying Shania fans to take it to the heights to which it deserves to go...

I had not been paying attention enough when Shania put this out. After she dropped out of music due to Lyme disease, I followed other artists. Then I saw her documentary and said to myself that I need to hear "Now", being very curious. What a pleasant surprise!It was such different sounding music, and she didn't sound the same either. However, I have loved playing this music more and more. There is no country in this in case anyone is wondering. Also, you need to be ready for some heavy bass in much of the music. I hope her upcoming album is as enjoyable.

Très bon album à écouter....

Después de más de una década Shania volvió a la música con este disco lo cual lo hace sumamente significativo. Obviamente se siente la ausencia de Mutt Lange, pero aún así hay varios tracks destacados que lo hacen una compra obligada para los fans de esta Reina.

Another great album from the Queen of Country

Me encanta! En el nuevo CD hay canciones un poco distintas a las de siempre, pero son muy buenas y variadas. Un regreso por todo lo alto.

I love Shania Twain and play this cd on my cd player