It’s been four years since Pink released Funhouse and since then the singer has managed to revive her marriage and give birth to a beautiful baby girl, Willow. While Funhouse was a great album it was full of pessimistic songs that reflected the rough patch that Pink was going through in her personal life. In general Pink’s newly released album, The Truth About Love, features more upbeat and bipolar tunes about the ups and downs of love through the same corky, vulnerable and brutally honest lens that Pink’s fans have grown accustomed to.
Th album begins with warrior chants and a strong message. “We are the people that you’ll never get the best of,” Pink sings in the chorus of “All We All We Are,” which she’s referred to as her “protest song.” Pink’s a fighter, but that doesn’t means she’s not vulnerable. Much of the album shows the singer struggling to keep love. She screams to be heard in “How Come You’re Not Here.” The rock inspired beat and lines like “Did you go for a long walk off a short pier? | How come you’re not here” allows Pink to stay close to her typical style, but in a fun way so that fans don’t become bored. The album’s second single “Try” is a radio-friendly song with a strong guitar backing and heartfelt lyrics about never giving up on love. The same can be said about “Just Give Me A Reason,” except this song comes with a nice treat in the form of a Nate Ruess (of Fun.) feature. Both Nate and Pink put so much passion into their singing on all of their songs and that energy is conveyed throughout this duet. I’m not as fond of the Lily Allen Rose Cooper assisted “True Love,” but I’m sure fans will be excited to hear from the British star.
When Pink’s not in love she’s being a slut. Literally. “Slut Like You,” is a sassy anthem for girls who turn the tables on guys and use them for a little meaningless fun. Like the album’s first single, “Blow Me (One Last Kiss)” this song is vulgar, and loud, and a whole lot of fun! “Wam Bam Thank You Ma’am!” The gender reversal doesn’t always work, however, as she finds herself doing the “Walk Of Shame” one morning in “last night’s dress.” The catchy melody and Aerosmith nod (“Walk this way”) is highly addictive. You’ve been warned. I must admit, however, that I’m not too fond of “Here Comes The Weekend,” Pink’s second song with rapper Eminem.
But now that she’s become a mom Pink realizes there’s more to life than dysfunction and partying and I think it’s safe to assume that Pink made “Run” (featured on the Target Edition) with her daughter Willow in mind. “I can’t hide you from it all,” the mother sings in the song about being a shoulder to lean on through life’s ups and downs.
The Truth About Love is typical Pink, but with tiny smiles and glimmers of hope peaking through the cracks. Once again the singer has created a solid album by using her personal life, the good and bad, as a vision board.