Whether it becomes a hit or not, Shontelle’s ‘Battle Cry’ has already secured its place in history. The Barbados-born singer can tell her grandchildren that her music was featured on a Barack Obama compilation album during his successful presidential campaign. Consequently, she’s unlikely to care a jot if it fails to set the charts on fire. However, as one of the strongest tracks from her Shontelligence LP, it’s curious that she’s held back its release for so long.

She may have over-egged things by describing it as a song about all the “drama in the world”, and the lyrics (“All we gotta do is stand up for us!”) certainly won’t be troubling the Ivor Novello judges, but this is still a pretty heart-warming tale of solidarity and friendship. The disposable R&B beats don’t do much to fend off accusations that Shontelle is merely a watered down Rihanna, but there’s enough spirit in her performance to suggest she shouldn’t be written off just yet.

Source: DigitalSpy

SHONTELLE – SHONTELLIGENCE
Many people have compared this new Barbados singer to Rihanna, probably because they have a similar style of music and they are from the same hood. It should be mentioned that Rihanna is no match when compared to Shontelle, vocally. One of the songs “T-Shirt” has already been getting major airplay, making her a good contender in the R&B world. Most of the songs are very reggae-influenced. I look forward to hearing her follow up album as this one has a handful of great tracks.

Source: BizLounge (Music)

There is a new kind of female soul sound. It is really an off-shoot of the old but mellower, less embellished and first made itself felt a year ago. I see it as a combination of Mary J. Blige and Amy Winehouse or of Beyoncé and Buffy. The result is soul but with none of the saccharine sweetness of Motown, remember the Supremes, or the big, hard edged vocals of the later years as in Aguilera. This soul is actually the sort that John Legend makes and among the females, I think that this album best exemplify the evolving genre.

Shontelligence by Shontelle. Rihanna comes from the Barbados in the Caribbean. So an enterprising producer hied off to the place to check if there are more Rihannas down there just waiting to be discovered. And there are. The result of that search was Shontelle, who was studying to be a lawyer when music came calling. And it looks like she will also make it big, thanks to that opening salvo that gave us the ubiquitous T-Shirt.

I think Shontelligence was produced as a mix of R&B and island pop hence some reggae tunes like Life is Not An Easy Road and Roll It are keeping company with T-Shirt and Superwoman. Just take those to the clubs though, because it is in new soul where this girl really excels. Shontelle who is, in fact, an even better singer than Rihanna, has expressive winners in Battle Cry, Cold Cold Summer and Ghetto Lullabye. Focus Pon Me, Plastic People, I Crave You, and Flesh and Bone are the rest of the CD.

Source: PhilStar (Philippines)

If you were expecting candy floss that sets your teeth on edge after all the hits have been served, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Despite being known primarily for channeling the pop diva through hits like ‘T-shirt’ and ‘Stuck on you’ (featuring Akon) Shontelle has more than a few scraps of intelligence going for her. Once her anthems to ‘love’ and ‘longing’ are over, she gets down to sharing some cool Shontelligence. That she is a Miss with a message is clear.

The underlying thread to her music is about working hard, struggling to make it work and not giving up. These themes made her third hit, ‘Battle Cry’, so appealing it was used in Barack Obama’s Yes We Can campaign. The resulting album placed her amongst music greats like Stevie Wonder and stars like Kanye West.

And what’s not to like about ‘Battle Cry’? It’s about standing up for what you believe, fighting for something you care about – it might be your relationship or your rights as a citizen. Shontelle skips genres like she’s playing musical Double Dutch and this is what makes her album a good listen. She switches from ‘Superwoman’ with its disco vibe and message of female upliftment to ‘Cold Cold Summer’ with its deliciously bluesy and retro funk edge.

Then nods to her Bajan roots with reggae flavored ‘Roll it Gal’ and ‘Life is not an easy road’. The songstress ‘keeps it real’ preferring to be critical of the ‘Nation of the Plastic people’ which is somewhat ironic given her own celeb status, styling and role as a performer. While ‘Naughty’ featuring Beenie Man has that butt wriggling appeal Rihanna is best known for and has club classic written all over it.

If you have stack of CDs you flick over and avoid then this probably won’t be one of them. It snaps, crackles and pops with something for everyone, from the divalicious for those who like Mariah and Beyonce to songs with social messages for those who prefer to ‘Roll with it’ and some dance tracks for those who prefer to shake booty and get ‘Naughty’. Shontelle may have dropped out of anonymity into the female pop galaxy but she could end up being one of its brightest stars.

Source: The Highlighter

A chronic album that I had not planned to listen to, that of Shontelle. Shontelligence, the title of the album is a pun that I do not understand but whatever. A good album was not the only thing I heard but it was a strong apprehension that made me purchase it. The album contains two rather distinct sides of the R&B/pop singer. The album was released on 18 November 2008 and was reissued on 9 March 2009. My criticism of the normal edition, having never seen the reissue of the album which I thought it was not even released was a good overall description as follows.

T-Shirt: First single from the album, very pleasant, it is a beautiful ballad pop / R & B as we heard at some point before all take a turn to electro is close to what can Ne-Yo provide instrument question, Beat this, not too powerful, acoustic guitar, a beautiful interpretation, opening album of simple but high quality and efficiency very well. I already knew this song and it was thanks to her that I want to buy the album was coming.

Battle Cry: Second and last single from the album, the third being on the reissue. A mid tempo R & B very pleasant, powerful beat of a clear and fresh voice, though rather banal, very pleasant and enjoyable. The comparison with Rihanna will be inevitable, but of course the songs from Shontelle are much less affordable than those of the success Rihanna had at a young age.

Superwoman: Here is the first of the new album, although I knew that T-shirt. A song in chorus is very striking and the “Oh wo wo wo” adds little later costs and easy to remember which is a walking song, the album starts with three well frankly song and hit as many.

Cold Cold Summer: A good instrument to blend in with a nice air of reggae. Shontelle’s voice, is less charismatic but so much more enjoyable. A nice title, the violin makes a difference in the song, once again I am very satisfied with the result.

(Note: This review was translated from French, so it’s English may not be properly structured)

(Thanks ishmarsha!)

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