gerrythedon

Gwen Grasps For 'Modern' Sounds On New Album

As expected, Gwen Stefani will release her second solo album before the end of the year. "The Sweet Escape" is due Dec. 5 via Interscope and will be preceded by first single "Wind It Up," produced by the Neptunes. The video will be directed by Sophie Muller; a U.S. tour will get underway in April.

The full track list has yet to be announced, but "The Sweet Escape" will also sport collaborations with Akon, Stefani's No Doubt bandmate Tony Kanal, Keane's Tim Rice-Oxley and producers Nellee Hooper, Sean Garrett, Swizz Beatz and Dave Stewart.

"This album is surprisingly different than the last one," Stefani says in a statement. "I started recording it last year before [her son] Kingston was born and it's definitely evolved over the last year. The dance sound is very 'now.' It's modern ... not so retro."

"The Sweet Escape" is the follow-up to 2004's "Love.Angel.Music.Baby," which has sold 3.8 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Also on Dec. 5, Stefani will release the concert DVD "Harajuku Lovers Live." The film was shot at Arrowhead Pond in Stefani's hometown of Anaheim, Calif., and was also directed by Muller.

BILLBOARD.com

BDB

the first single sounds almost like a gimmick track

stereogum has it linked, it uses samples from the sound of music.

Rogue588

umm...no.

if this first single is indicative of the entire album, this'll be a download. damn Jay-Z.

mndtrp

The comments from that Stereogum site BDB stated pretty much sum up how I feel about the song.

http://www.stereogum.com/archives/003787.html#comments

I enjoyed a little over half of her last album, in a cheesy good mood kind of way. This one will definately be a lala.com acquire, should I hear a better song.

gatoinfeliz

"This album is surprisingly different than the last one"

Be warned:

She's actually using many of LAMB rejects for this album. I really don't see how using recycled songs is indicative of her album being "surprisingly different from the last". Also, most of the recylced garbage is Neptunes produced.

DVD Josh

So I guess No Doubt is officially done. That's too bad.

LiquidSky

I can't remember where but I read that No Doubt was working on a new album. I hated Gwen's first solo effort.

mdc3000

I actually thought her first record was pretty decent (about 3/4 of it anyhow) but this song is TERRIBLE. Like, I'm currently shocked at how brutal this is... when this record tanks, I'm sure the new No Doubt won't be too far behind.

MATT

Andalusia

Oh joy, I look forward to hearing this constantly at work!!

I thought her last album sucked too, but I at least liked "Cool".

johnbook

Yea "Cool" is a great track, also really like "Serious" i'll give the cd a try.

milo bloom

I bought her first solo out of some demented sense of duty to Gwen, but I'll definitely be sure to find a way to listen to some of the second one before I buy it. I liked a few of the songs on LAMB, but not nearly enough to make me run out and buy the second one right away.

zombiezilla

She licks balls without No Doubt. And not in a fun way.

clemente

I liked about half of LAMB, it wasn't great, but some decent throwaway pop.

This song is ass. There are some songs that take a while to grow on you and some that you love right away. And then songs like this that you pretty much right off as a waste of 3 minutes of your life. Its too bad that the machine will make this a hit and we won't be able to avoid it.

gmal2003

There was a rumor after Rock Steady came out that No Doubt would next be doing an 80ish sound album. Id wish they do that. As for her new single, I kinda like it, but its just not my kind of music overall.

LiquidSky

That would be cool. I would like them to go back to their rock/ska roots.....do something like Dancehall Crashers.

gerrythedon

The Sweet Escape Track Listing:

1) Wind It Up
Produced by The Neptunes

2) The Sweet Escape featuring Akon
Produced by Aliaune “Akon” Thiam

3) Orange County Girl
Produced by The Neptunes

4) Early Winter
Produced by Nellee Hooper, co-written by and piano and keyboards by Tim Rice-Oxley of Keane

5) Now That You Got It
Produced by Swizz Beatz

6) 4 In The Morning
Produced by Tony Kanal

7) Yummy featuring Pharrell
Produced by The Neptunes

8) Fluorescent
Produced by Tony Kanal, saxophone by Angleo Moore of Fishbone

9) Breakin’ Up
Produced by The Neptunes

10) Don't Get It Twisted
Produced by Tony Kanal

11) U Started It
Produced by The Neptunes

12) Wonderful Life
Produced by Nellee Hooper, guitar by Martin Gore of Depeche Mode

GWENSTEFANI.com

gerrythedon

The Sweet Escape is now available for pre-order from iTunes. The iTunes pre-order includes 2 bonus tracks (“Wind It Up” – Original Neptunes Mix and a live version) and a bonus video of “Wind It Up” live, plus when you pre-order the album you get to download “Wind It Up” now.

GWENSTEFANI.com

Rogue588

This is a pretty bad album. And as gatoinfeliz said, these are LAMB rejects and it shows..

And in the new EW, she says that she "needed" to do a tour before another ND album.

PJsig08

This album is GARBAGE

No threadcrapping here, just speaking the truth. Wait til you hear this trash...too bad, her last CD was actually pretty good.

spinning plates

only 'listenable' song is the title track.

mdc3000

Well, I'm going to go against the grain - this is almost as good as LAMB. Lots of great beats, catchy lyrics and just a fun listen. I think it's one that needs to grow on you. There are a couple of really lame ballads on here though, but I think overall it's a decent follow-up and should move some serious units. The best tracks are: The Sweet Escape, Early Winter, Yummy, Now That You Got It, Don't Get It Twisted. To each their own.

DRG

I actually like the album so far, but if anything this feels more retro than the last one.

ytrez

I saw a video where Gwen looks great lying in candy with the skimpiest shorts I've ever seen but the song was absolute garbage IMO. I guess she should be commended for trying new stuff but I'll stick with No Doubt, thank you.

Zodo

Does anyone know what the Target exclusive limited edition will have on it?

the action

It sounds like the B-sides to her last solo album...maybe 2 or 3 decent tracks on the stinker.