Album Review: ‘V’ by Maroon 5

PHOTO from popdust.com

More than a decade later, Maroon 5 is still around. That is a quite a feat because they have not only attained the much sought after longevity in an ever changing music landscape but more importantly, they have also achieved huge success along the way of the band’s existence with a string of chart topping hits coming from each new album released. 

Their latest studio-release “V” is a testament to their lasting appeal. Take note, guys, their first album came out in 2002. Today is already 2014. A good bulk of their peers during that period have either been dropped by their respective major labels or have called it quits altogether. The mere fact that Maroon 5 is still active now is certainly praiseworthy and worth mentioning at the very least.

Now, to the band’s fifth studio-release “V”.

It is highly touted as it marks Maroon 5 reaching a pinnacle point of their careers as a band together. A lot of changes have happened with the band over the years but one thing I have always observed with Maroon 5 is that they are consistently able to release records that have maintained a “fixed” quality about them that do not falter nor do they surpass the benchmark set by the band’s first studio-release entitled “Songs About Jane” way back in 2002.

The question now is, will the band’s string of good luck continue with their fifth studio-release “V”?

There is only one way to find out.

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Here is my review of the best tracks of “V”

Track 1. “Maps” – The opening track is also the lead single of the album, and in “Maps” you get to hear some familiar musical traits of Maroon 5 circa early 2000s. You get the toned down guitar work in the intro, the steady climb of emotion until it reaches the catchy hook, and you have Adam Levine doing some “play on words” with a few of the track’s more memorable lyrics.

“Maps” is about Adam Levine trying his best to win back his girl after experiencing a few setbacks in the course of their relationship.

Track 2. “Animals” – Whereas in the first track Adam Levine sounded emotionally weak due to his being in an exhaustive relationship, here in the second track, he plays the aggressor who is persistently “hunting down his prey” and who will not take “No” for an answer.

“Animals” is also the second single from the album.

Track 5. “Sugar” – This is one of those tracks wherein the producer seemingly gets to take full creative control; the band takes a backseat to give way to the production aspect of the song taking over.

And yet, there is one reason I still included “Sugar” as one of the best tracks of the album.

Thinking on a broader scale, fans of “Moves Like Jagger” would most likely enjoy “Sugar” and see some similarities to that mega hit in the track’s chosen sound and beat.

Track 8. “New Love” – Synths galore, this is the kind of dance-pop track that meshes well with Adam Levine’s voice and does not bury it in the mixing.

“New Love” is catchy and just a fun song.

Track 11. “My Heart Is Open” feat. Gwen Stefani – To have a piano balled as the album closer was a subtle touch to a track listing that was rather heavy on the emotional side of falling in and falling out of love. But another praiseworthy aspect of this track is that it features Gwen Stefani, who is the newest coach to join the latest season of The Voice.

Gwen Stefani filling in the guest spot for the last track of ‘V’ can only be seen as a special moment for the album.

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While I still think that Maroon 5’s breakthrough major label debut “Songs About Jane” is still their most memorable and praiseworthy album to date, long-time fans will be pleased with Maroon 5’s latest studio-release “V” as it does have some of those musical characteristics from their earlier albums which do show up every now and then throughout their latest album with its generous 11-track listing.

My Final Verdict: 7/10