Released: September 18, 2012

Label: RCA

Purchase: Amazon | iTunes

Rating: 4.7/5

After a good listen to P!nk’s sixth studio album one thing stood out the most to me, the outspoken   lady is still very much the same. If you were expecting motherhood to tame the fiery songstress then you are definitely in for a wake up. The Truth About Love celebrates 12 years of this unpredictable artist in the biz, sparking up new messages about love, life, and other interesting things, while P!nk’s signature realness reverberates throughout the entire album. It’s indeed a very good sixth effort; the singer’s raspy and sexy voice flowed well on a few smoother tracks, and intensified on the more loud and rowdy ones. Have you ever wondered how this performer takes musical breaks but still manages to “blow” our minds when she returns? That’s easy, there’s always that catchy first single to reel us in.

Kick starting things off is the rocky urban pop infused Are We All We Are. Singling this one out would be a brilliant idea, seeing as it embodies an energetic and thought-provoking concept separating the singer from the rest. The aggression emphasize the meaning of the lyrics, that hook is badass, and P!nk is just being P!nk.  

The moment I heard Blow Me (One Last Kiss) I knew she was back. Songs always make sense on the artist’s album. But then again she wouldn’t record crap. Her music is always authentic and never borrowed or empty. That’s definitely the spunk that keeps her fanbase so loyal and even have non-fans admiring the hell out of her, because let’s keep it real good music is good music that deserves all the appreciation this world has to offer.

Try rides on a slower pace than the previous but the album stays alive and strong. This is such a beautiful pop track with a banging chorus. The words are pure and true, pulling out the emotional side of the singer. You can actually feel her sting the heart with her soulful and effortless singing. The motivational anthem leaves you breathless. I can’t help but smile uncontrollably.

And while I was enthralled by Try, Just Give Me a Reason is absolutely possessing. Unfortunately, Nate Ruess tainted my initial feeling on his parts. His voice just isn’t as heartfelt on this as P!nk’s and I would’ve been contented had it been only her ripping my soul apart. But every time sir Ruess jumped in my mouth soured. I’m not saying he’s a horrific singer, I’m just saying that on this lovely pop ballad with a beautiful piano melody in the opening, his voice offered no edge. However, the song does have the same flare as We Are Young. 

True Love sounds so different from everything the artist has done before in terms of the musical arrangement, but the words evoke that could care less vibe ever present in her love/hate songs. The biggest highlight would have to be “you’re an asshole but I love you…I think it must be true love…no one else can break my heart like you….” Is this by any chance dedicated to anyone in particular? I wonder. The track is reminiscent of her You Make Me Sick phase. But its breezy and bouncy sound take me back to summer. Oh by the way, Lily Rose Cooper (Lily Allen) is featured on this track. Too bad I missed her. It is a catchy song but not my favorite.

Think 80’s grungy, garage rock sound and there you have How Come You’re Not Here? The singer goes off on the guy she wants but isn’t wanting her back. She’s totally confident and fierce on the track, depicting no problem with getting vulnerable and expressing her longing for the guy. This would have to be the most stand alone rockiest track on the album and I wouldn’t be mad if it turned into a single.

Slut Like You is playful, wild, and raunchy. This is the track that explores the unlimited loudness of the artist when she’s entertaining and getting her point across. May I warn you this song is not for the modest, but P!nk is just keeping it real in regards to the aspect of sex between two consenting people. I guess you can say its about a girl who doesn’t get emotionally attached like the guy and its almost surprising for him because just like the guy she’s just looking for fun. Don’t take it personal.

I almost expected the title track to be more balladry or sensual, but its quite the opposite. The Truth About Love is a 60’s doo-whop pop rock inspired track with a modern and addictive bass. Again, I like how realistic the lyrics are, but focusing mainly on the unpleasant side of what you thought was love. That bridge just took off, and that breathy old school type of singing closing out the song is perfect.

There comes a time when the singer exchanges her electrifying and intense rock sound with a more soothing and acoustic arrangement to compliment her incomparable sensual tone. Whenever she does, the track’s bound to give you goosebumps as she serenades you. Beam Me Up exemplifies what I’m trying to convey. The track soars from start to finish with flawless guitar strings and dramatic melodies.

Walk of Shame dives back into the rock elements. The singer may not have been in your face or producing a shock factor but it is a fun and vibrant track nonetheless.  

Eminem had the pleasure of having P!nk on his Recovery album and now he’s on Here Comes the Weekend to return the favor. And this definitely sounds like something the enigmatic rapper would record himself, from the eccentric beat and edgy hook, to the interesting rap verse. I’m loving it in every essence.

Where Did the Beat Go? sounds like a continuation of the previous track where the musical arrangement is concerned, other than that the song’s off the hook. Indeed you feel like marching to that ecstasy like drum beat living up exceptionally well to the title. The passion filled and harmonious singing had me consumed with nothing but love for the track, which is undoubtedly becoming my absolute favorite now.

The Great Escape picks up where Beam Me Up left off but with the piano replacing the acoustic guitar. P!nk grabs a hold of your heart and shares a moving story with you. There’s nothing to do but listen while she encourages and consoles the one she loves and cares about. Her words come straight from the heart and she needs no other method to convince me how truthful it all is. If in fact you stop on this tearful number, its certainly a celestial conclusion. But if you decide to go further, bonus tracks like My Signature Move, Is This Thing On?, Run, and Good Old Days are just as warming and far from subtle, while Chaos & Piss and Timebomb are just as wicked and deadly. Isn’t it exhilarating knowing the singer never conformed.

Overall, The Truth About Love isn’t perfect, but it is impressionable. I mean, it is P!nk afterall, she inevitably leaves her imprint on listeners with every record released.

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01. Are We All We Are?

02. Blow Me (One Last Kiss)

03. Try

04. Just Give Me a Reason (ft. Nate Ruess)

05. True Love (ft. Lily Rose Cooper)

06. How Come You’re Not Here

07. Slut Like You

08. The Truth About Love

09. Beam Me Up

10. Walk Of Shame

11. Here Comes The Weekend (ft. Eminem)

12. Where Did the Beat Go?

13. The Great Escape

Bonus Tracks:

14. My Signature Move

15. Is This Thing On?

16. Run

17. Good Old Days

18. Chaos & Piss

19. Timebomb

Image credit: P!nk’s facebook