Ten years ago, Meghan Trainor bestowed “All About That Bass” upon the world. I thought it was an absolute banger both musically and lyrically, with a truly joyful video: an empowerment anthem about self-love at any size (“Every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top”). But then I guess I was largely asleep on her for a decade. “Wake up!” she yells cheerfully, on and with her new album, Timeless.
Timeless is a collection of catchy songs, grounded in self-worth and compassion, in a variety of genres (which I leave to someone whose music vocabulary is less rusty to catalogue), with clever and creative lyrics, vocals that sound effortless, and playful musicality and production.
Since I control my own word count, I’ll run through some of my favourite tracks.
“To The Moon,” the first song, is my favourite to sing, a persuasive love letter from a strong artist to the partner she wants on her journey. It starts off sultry and then turns into an aerobic workout. “I got a spaceship, come get in it / for the ride of your life,” she croons confidently. This is, thematically, a very horny album. (Good lord, the booklet photos.)
“Been Like This” is next, an upbeat duet with T-Pain that is a giant “I’m not bothered” to haters. There’s a video that appears to be them hearing the finished song for the first time, where she laughs and vibrates and exclaims at how good it sounds. It does indeed sound very good.
“Crowded Room” is a veritable poodle-skirt love song, appealing directly to Cupid about the one who “was worth the wait.” The lyrics are simple and honest. I am in awe of her and her team’s ability to replicate and update this decades-old genre.
“Whoops” is hilarious, an excellent addition to the popular “boy, you fucked up” category of song:
Whoops, you messed up
Now you cryin’ about what you lost
You did me dirty, hope she was worthy
You say you’re sorry, but I think what you really mean isWhoops
In case the boy who fucked up doesn’t get the point from the audio, the video spends a lot of time reminding him of the ass he will never again touch. Vicious.
“I Get It” is an insightful psychological treatise disguised as a pop song, this one about the fear of trusting love.
‘Cause baby, this love is overwhelming, I get it
You wanted forever once you felt it, I get it
When your heart does that thing
You don’t have to explain
‘Cause I feel the same, I get it, I get it
Don’t be afraid of getting deeper, dive in it
You knew right away I was a keeper, admit it
When your heart does that thing
You don’t have to explain
‘Cause I feel the same, I get it
(Horny bonus lyric: “I see your heart beating out your chest / Lose your cool when I’m in this dress / Look at you when you’re powerless.” (Her husband, from what I’ve seen on social media, is quite appreciative of his wife.))
“Hate It Here” is an introvert’s anthem that could actually be played in dance clubs.
Goodbye (Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye)
‘Cause I’m about to lose my mind (My mind, my mind, my mind)
And I know it ain’t just me tonight (Tonight, tonight, tonight)
Get loud if you wanna disappear
Say “yes, I hate it here”
When this appeal fails to have immediate effect, she tries another tactic:
Won’t you rather be at home with me?
Get naked under the sheets
Baby, that’s where I’m tryna be
(Wanna leave, wanna leave, wanna leave, wanna leave)
It might be impossible not to hear this one in my head when I go out.
There are a total of 16 songs on the album (the lengthiest clocking in at 3:21), and the last one is the titular Timeless, a beautiful waltz that should be very popular at weddings.
You and I, baby, we’re timeless
Here tonight and after my final breath
‘Cause there’s just too many memories made
You can’t tell me all of this love goes away
Though we won’t ever make no sense
Baby, we’re timeless
The album opens with promising the moon and closes, no matter “how long we’ve got / here on this rock,” with the enduring nature of love.
Very good art.