Leah Dizon - Communication!!!

American Jpop artist Leah Dizon comes out strong with her sophomore album. Released less than a year after her first album Destiny Line debuted, Communication!!! strongly showcases a more vibrant Leah Dizon and creates originality where Destiny Line did not.

The first half of the album is a toss-up between brilliance and mediocrity. The first track, Step into my world, is easily forgettable. While the idea makes for a cute introductory song, Leah’s vocals do not make a strong first impression. The repetitive music is a bit on the bland side, sounding like an old, forgotten midi track polished up with generic pop instrumentals. The second track, however, creates a catchy, urban beat that has irresistible power. Love Paradox has all the style and prowess worthy of being a single, which it rightfully was. Vanilla, on the other hand, does not. Though also previously released as a single, and not so bad that it doesn’t merit a listen, it’s just too weak in comparison with the other tracks. Most likely, it will be skipped in favor of better songs.

The second half of the album is where the real gems dwell. Lost at Sea, the sixth track on Communication!!!, is one of the strongest tracks on the album. A departure from the bubblicious pop that haunted the first half of the album, this mostly-acoustic song is the perfect backdrop for Leah Dizon’s voice and is beautifully calibrated from start to finish. It’s clear that Leah Dizon was in an experimental mood when creating this album.

Two groove-ridden R&B tracks follow Lost in Sea, but the flow of dance vibes are interrupted by a rock song that is both insanely catchy and fun. BxKxRxxx is by far the most out-of-the-loop track on the album, but surprisingly it works very well for a singer whose musical career is dominated by cookie-cutter pop melodies. The last two tracks close with soft, soothing melodies, particularly Thank You. The song would be no more than just a sweet, simply structured R&B melody if not for the heartfelt lyrics.

With her debut album, questions arose about Leah Dizon’s position in the Jpop industry, from her singing ability to her choice of music. If this album is any indication, one thing becomes clear: Leah Dizon is a serious talent in the Jpop industry. Communication!!! lays out a variety of sounds and marks a new direction for Leah. Her third album may be a foray into what is to become her "signature sound," but she has a vast number of styles to choose from. Communication!!!’s success will ensure future releases to have high expectations.