Theirs energy in Trainor be it her debut work of All About that Bass or in her new single Me Too, where she makes a statement about body acceptance and just being yourself. From the time she is up from bed, to dressing up on her way to a photo shoot, her amazing voice carries the song. This and many other songs make up for Meghan’s brand new album. Though the song created controversy when her label digitally altered her body, she spoke it aloud and brought justice to what she desired.

The opener Watch Me Do uses a ‘70s funk with excellent drum fills and a strong horn chart. Trainor coos, “I’m the shhhh / be quiet / I’ve been on a / Low-hater diet,” with reference to bluesman James Brown. The 22-year-old singer has it good with the anthemic No, rejecting an unsolicited suitor were the ultimate expression of female decision. The song fits right in Trainor’s idea “women making their own choices” point of view. is a strong response by Meghan who has written this and all the songs on the album.

Better and I Won’t Let You Down are an interesting duo of songs because of their opposing lyrical points of view. Kindly Calm Me Down strips away the poppy beats, allowing Meghan to show her vocal range all the way. Woman Up, is a strip out from a 2014 song by former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, where Meghan talks about powerful woman as a “survivor,” a “fighter” who lives by her own rules, and swaps it for one who merely “don't need a man.” Plain dance songs that have plenty of fun in them would be Dance Like Yo Daddy and the title track which is also the final track Thank You (Featuring a bit of rap by R City), and the soft jam of Champagne Problems. Something unique which Meghan has done on the album is bringing in her mother Kelli Meghan on the song where you get to hear her expressing her love for her mom. You could dedicate the mid tempo Mom to your own mom. The words are simply touching. In Bob Marley’s style of No Woman, No Cry reggae pitch, Meghan takes on a song on Friends.

If you need to pin on some real mushy songs and see the softer side of Meghan, try Hopeless Romantic featuring a simple guitar accompaniment and layered harmony vocals. Those vocals once again are reminiscent of the ‘90s, and the ukulele driven strumming of Just A Friend to You. The final track

Thank You is an interesting album in that it shows musical growth for Meghan Trainor while simultaneously moving her closer to mainstream pop. It’s not great, but for a singer of Meghan’s calibre who is still making a mark in the industry it is definitely catchy and easy to sing along with; strong qualities for pop (popular) music.

Rating: ****

Reviewed By Verus Ferreira