The self-titled album typically signals an artist’s mission statement moment. For Ciara, that moment comes five albums into her career. It’s the Texas-born R&B star’s first album since she publicly pleaded with Jive to drop her after 2010’s Basic Instinct flopped. She then signed with L.A. Reid’s Epic and decided to make music that reflects her personality rather than a pop star alter ego. The album plays up Ciara’s penchants for laid-back lustiness, subtly aggressive kiss-offs, not-so-subtle come-ons and gleaming, graceful pop without digging too deep.
You have more writing and production credits on this album. Were you more hands-on?
I’ve always been part of the core process of making my albums, but my voice is much clearer now from experience and wisdom. I now know exactly what I want and how to accomplish it. The most important thing is that my fans get to have a better understanding of who I am.
What wasn’t coming across on previous albums?
I’m so much of a perfectionist, I can over-think things. You hold back so much more because you’re so private and protective, but I’m here, man. I hurt. I feel. I feel everything that everyone else is feeling. Sometimes you fall, and it’s okay to fall. Maybe when you get back up you can inspire someone else not to give up.
Last year, you released a few singles that didn’t chart particularly well. From the outside, it seems like the pop charts were shaping creative decisions.
No. The cool thing is I was very fortunate to keep sharing records with the world while creating my album and getting to the place I wanted to. I wanted there to be clarity. When you listen to the whole project from beginning to end, you can still feel something.
On what songs do you feel like you achieved that clarity?
Super Turnt Up. I co-produced that song. I’m really proud of that accomplishment and my rapping on the song. I’ve played on a rap beat before, but this was a little different. It wasn’t so much an alter ego as me with a different twist. I can be very silly. I like to have fun. I like to be goofy. That was one example of pure self-expression.
You’ve worked with Missy Elliott in the past. Any plans to collaborate again in the future?
Of course! I just talked to her the other day over the phone. She’s my sister in music and one of my sisters period, so we are always chatting about something. Whether it’s life, love or music, we always have our fun convos. Anything is possible.
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