Album Review: Esmee Denters "Outta Here"

(Yay for catching up!) After gaining a large following singing covers on YouTube, Esmee Denters was discovered & signed by none other than Justin Timberlake. Unfortunately, her debut album Outta Here never took off here in the US & was finally given a digital-only release this past August. I had been listening to her album for a while before it came out here, as it was released internationally first, & was therefore less than impressed with what her label did to it when they released it here digitally.

1. "Love Dealer": Toted as featuring J.T. when it was released as Esmee's second push here in the US (it doesn't), this is a fun song, but it's still not too hard to see why it went nowhere. 4/5

2. "Outta Here": The title track was released as the album's first single & should've been pushed a lot harder because this Polow production is easily the highlight of the album. 5/5

3. "Admit It": Another Timberlake-sounding one that's good, yet nothing special. 4/5

4. "Casanova" (ft. Justin Timberlake): The album's sole track to actually feature Justin singing, I'm personally glad he did because it's a nice one, plus they sound good together. 4.5/5

5. "Gravity": Yet another smooth midtempo from Esmee. This song is one of a few from here on out, however, that probably benefits from not having been released as a single somewhere in the world (like the first three tracks) because I'm not tired of it. 4.5/5

6. "Getting Over You": This one has some charm, but it's also quite forgettable. 4/5

7. "What If": A very cool jam & probably where they should've just ended this thing as an EP... 4.5/5

8. "Memories Turn To Dust": Unfortunately, one of the album's weakest. 3.5/5

9. "Crazy Place": A digital single to (correct me if I'm wrong) benefit charity released long before Outta Here was--anywhere, this does not fit in with the rest of the album. At all. 1/5

10. "Sad Symphony": A nice way to wrap things up. 4.5/5

From this, you can tell that Outta Here is a solid body of work for Esmee Denters' debut. However, it's difficult to overlook such omissions as "Bigger Than The World" (also look out for "Victim", "Just Can't Have It", & the retro "The First Thing"). It's a shame that the label would put money before the artistic expression that this album had to make & although it's not something that would normally happen, the final rating I'm giving this album is going to suffer just a bit. However, it should simply serve as a warning about the digital US release of Outta Here; it's nothing against Esmee herself.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Esmee Denters "Gravity" Video Premiere

"Gravity" is the latest single off Esmee Denters' debut album Outta Here. This video is most likely a reflection of her album sales, the poor thing. But, at least she got some kinda new video!

Listen To Esmee Denters' "Outta Here"

So, guess who (digitally) released their debut album Outta Here this week in the most secretive way I've seen in years?! That sneaky little Esmee Denters, that's who! (This ain't gonna cut it, JT!) The cover art, which is being recycled, can be seen above & although we've heard all 10 songs before, check out what made the cut HERE, where you can listen to the album (legally of course) in full. You probably didn't notice that I added her album to my New Music Tuesday post & I don't blame ya: I had no idea it was dropping this week--& that's saying something, considering how much time I spend online trying to figure these exact things out. #whatamess

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New Music Tuesday

It's a double dose of R&B this Tuesday as two of the genre's best & brightest release their latest efforts today. First up is Fantasia's long-awaited third album Back To Me, which includes lead single "Bittersweet" as well as buzz single "Even Angels". The album is arguably her best to date, so feel free to treat yourself HERE or via the Amazon widget to your right. Also dropping is Usher's Versus, the continuation of & sequel to Raymond Vs. Raymond, which was released earlier this year. The EP (more or less) features the Pitbull-assisted first single "DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love" & can be purchased either HERE or via the Amazon widget to your right. I plan on reviewing both of these titles pretty soon, so keep an eye out for that!

Also out...

Esmee Denters Outta Here (Digital Exclusive) BUY
Usher Raymond Vs. Raymond: The Deluxe Edition BUY

Esmee Denters Covers "As" For Billboard

Esmee Denters shows her love for Stevie Wonder by covering his song "As" for yet another installment of Billboard's Mashup Mondays. I'm not familiar with the song to be honest, but she sounded really good singing it!

Esmee Denters & Chipmunk Perform "Until You Were Gone" On T4 On The Beach

Esmee Denters joined Chipmunk to perform their collabo "Until You Were Gone" on this year's T4 On The Beach. Poor thing was having technological problems, but she still pulled through! I wonder when she's gonna release that album 'round these parts...

Esmee Denters ft. Justin Timberlake "Love Dealer" Video Premiere

"Love Dealer", featuring Justin Timberlake, is the new US single from Esmee Denters' upcoming debut album Outta Here. Cool song.

Esmee Denters ft. Justin Timberlake "Love Dealer" Video Preview

Check out this 30-second sneak peek at Esmee Denters' video with Justin Timberlake for "Love Dealer", the new single off her upcoming album Outta Here. The full video will premiere on April 28th.

Esmee Denters ft. Justin Timberlake "Love Dealer" Behind-The-Scenes

Entertainment Tonight visited Esmee Denters & Justin Timberlake on the set of their video for "Love Dealer", the new US single from her upcoming debut album Outta Here. In addition to footage of them shooting & discussing the video, there are some sneak peeks of the final cut throughout the clip. It looks like they're pulling a Ciara out all the stops so that Esmee can get the success here that she deserves!

Chipmunk ft. Esmee Denters "Until You Were Gone" Video Premiere

"Until You Were Gone," featuring Esmee Denters, is the latest single from British rapper Chipmunk. Heh. I can't take British rap seriously (not that he was looking to be taken seriously with a name like Chipmunk anyway lol). Esmee sounds nice though. When are you gonna release your album over here, girl?

Esmee Denters Performs On NRJ In The Park

Admit It

Outta Here

Esmee Denters performed the two singles off her debut album Outta Here, which doesn't drop in the US until next year, on NRJ In The Park in Belgium recently. I can't figure out why they're waiting so long when 1) Esmee is doing a ton of promo right now that is generating buzz & 2) the whole darn thing is already online. Maybe she'll record more songs?!

Esmee Denters "Admit It" Video Premiere

"Admit It" is the second single (I'm assuming in the Netherlands) off Esmee Denters' debut album Outta Here, which has yet to be released in the US. The video's cool for what it is. I like the song too, just not as much as "Outta Here."

Esmee Denters Performs On YouTube Music Tuesdays

All day yesterday, YouTube sensation Esmee Denters was featured on the site's front page as a part of YouTube Music Tuesdays. She performed a showcase that included her songs "Admit It," "Love Dealer," "Just Can't Have It," & "Outta Here." I'm a little upset that a pair of accompanying videos, "Memories Turn To Dust" & "Outta Here (Acoustic)," aren't allowed to be embedded though because Esmee sounded best on "Memories." She's a refreshing young talent that deserves recognition here in the US & honestly, we need her as much as she needs us. Now, while I'm being honest, I'm gonna have to upset a certain someone... (I'm trying to make it up by giving Esmee the pimp (top) spot on the blog!) While I was listening to her perform, I realized how, well, over these songs I am. Esmee's currently Netherlands-exclusive debut Outta Here was pretty solid on my first listen, & it's still not bad, but I guess I'm ultimately just not a fan of Justin Timberlake's production (though "Love Dealer" is pretty good.. for a Stargate tune?) I'm gonna have to suggest to Esmee that she stick with Polow for the hot ones!

Esmee Denters Performs "Outta Here" On 2009 TMF Awards

In addition to The Black-Eyed Peas, Esmee Denters took the stage at the 2009 TMF Awards & performed "Outta Here," the first single & title track off her forthcoming (in the US) debut album. Was that the audience singing along? She must be a pretty big deal over there. It's no mystery why though! I wish they would start making some moves to get her album released over here. Also, this is kinda random, but I think it's so weird that she sang the song in one language & thanked the audience in another. LOL

Esmee Denters "Outta Here" Video Premiere

"Outta Here" is the first single from YouTube sensation Esmee Denters' upcoming debut album Outta Here. Having only now discovered her via this song, Esmee seems very talented & I'm really liking the JoJo-ish sound she has going for her. The video does plenty to serve its purpose, though I suppose they could've turned down that wind machine towards the end!