By Odeisel

Sometimes singers have beautiful voices, but they are led by their producers into singing things that are beneath their talent level. Dondria finds herself in this situation too much on her debut album Dondria Vs. Phatfffat. The album is awash in cliché music and song concepts that prevent her from establishing herself as an individual and really crafting a lane for herself.

The album begins with “You’re The One” which opens with a light church organ, high hats and brass accents. Dondria appeals to her lost boo to come back to her and forgive her for whatever she’s done because now she’s realized that now…he’s the one. Her talent is apparent on the bridge and the minimalist stage allows her voice to shine. The bubblegum continues on “Saving Myself” but with a far less inventive hand clap, 808 construction. Vocally, she resembles a teen Beyonce, letting the object of her affection know that she’s got a world full of guys vying for her attention, but she’s saving herself for him.

Her Phatfffat persona manifests on “Shawty Wus Up,” featuring Diamond and Johnta Austin. This song finds Dondria being sexually assertive, but lyrics like “Vicky got a secret, and I’m about to show you” make it hard to take seriously. Austin ups the ante telling her about places on her body that need to be kissed. He also wonders if she tastes like chocolate. *Cues blank stare.  From there Phatfffat gives you lessons on sex and how finding the right one to have sex is a great thing on “Making Love.” The production is a bastardization of the classic Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes’ “Miss You.” The sample is chipmunked a la early millennium Kanye and the lyrics are pedestrian.

“Can You Help Me” features stabbing strings and crushing muffled drums and a winding piano. It’s also the first song on the album that has some depth of emotion and feel, even if the vocal arrangements and construction are very Bad Boy era Faith Evans ballad-like. The Faith homage continues with “Where Did We Go Wrong” which chronicles the realization that your relationship is falling apart amidst rumors of infidelity with “some chick named Destiny.” Dondria ponders her part in the fallout and wonders aloud whether it was something she wasn’t doing that led to the breakage. Very Faith-ish, even in the inflections and the arrangements of the background vocals.

Jermaine Dupri’s beat jacking is in full effect on the “21 Questions” emulating “No More.” The semi rapped delivery is a bit too flat and nasal for Dondria and comes across contrived. “Still With Me” brings a return to the bubblegum with the retread t-t-t-t-clap beat that forms so many lost love Pop ballads. JD’s piracy continues as he vics NWA’s “I’d Rather F**k You” (“I’d Rather Be with You”-Bootsy Collins)for “You’re The One.” The song sounds like those Mary J Hip-Hop blends from an old Clue tape. It bumps, but as a mainstream release it’s just lazy.

“Believer” has the same base construction as “Still With Me” but sped up a bit. The vocal arrangements are more creatively set, but again you’ve heard this song before. Think Destiny’s Niece or Granddaughter. “Kissed by the Sun,” with its Spanish guitar, is the closing note and the highlight of the album with its steady progression, its soft strings on the periphery and mature construction. Yes there are hints of Faith once again with the background vocals and vocal runs, but it actually allows you to hear Dondria without muffling her voice with over done or wrong production. This song gives you a hint of what she can be when she’s not stuck to the ground with too much bubble gum.

Dondria has talent. It’s in full display on the closing song, and that sadly ruins the album to a degree, because it hips you to the fact that she is capable and talented, but her production was more suited to a blank canvass Pop person who can’t sing. Hopefully on her next venture the training wheels can come off and she can get mature music to go with her strong voice.

Out of 5

Dondria – “You’re the One”

Dondria – You’re The One (Prod. By Jermaine Dupri & B.Cox)

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