Gwen Stefani Is Back With Powerful and Personal Break-Up Record ‘This Is What the Truth Feels Like’

Matt Matasci

Gwen Stefani came from humble beginnings but as of 2016 it is difficult to imagine a more omnipresent pop star. Her tiny ska-punk band from Orange County became one of the most successful bands of the 90s alternative explosion, providing the springboard for an off-and-on solo career. Her tabloid profile skyrocketed after marrying Gavin Rossdale (the guitarist from the British band Bush) and then divorcing him over a decade later. She then appeared as a judge on “The Voice” and most recently announced her relationship with fellow “The Voice” judge Blake Shelton. Yes, lately there has been more hype about her relationships and clothing line than her actual music career. But with “This Is What the Truth Feels Like,” Stefani has quietly released a strong comeback LP, a feat considering the tendency of albums like these to be abject failures.

This is a deeply personal record for Stefani and it is clear just from gazing at the track listing. Five of the 12 songs feature the words “I,” “me” or “my” in the title – six if the implied “I” from “Used to Love You” is included. The lyrics on “This Is What the Truth Feels Like” are intense and introspective, tracking the tumultuous nature inherent in the dissolution of any prominent celebrity romance. Despite the heavy subject matter, Stefani manages to give many of these songs a dark-humored edge and a fun spirit. Working with Benny Blanco in 2014, Stefani released a pair of singles, “Baby Don’t Lie” and “Spark the Fire.” These two tracks were intended to serve as the foundation of her solo return but the lukewarm response led her to scrap both sessions and head back to the drawing board. The result of that decision to start fresh is an album that while at times is a mixed bag, represents a marked improvement over those non-album singles.

As a singer with roots in a ska band, Stefani has always incorporated elements of like-minded genres of reggae and dancehall into her sound. For the most part, those styles are absent from “This Is What the Truth Feels Like.” However sparingly she employs her dub influence, those moments she chooses to do so are among the best on the album. The third track, “Where Would I Be,” is one of those moments featuring a desolate island pulse bolstered by pounding dance beats making for a track that works as well in the club as it does beachside. Where “This Is What the Truth Feels Like” falters is when Stefani breaks away from personal, heartfelt lyricism. Though she has tried her hand as an MC in the past she’s never sounded as unconvincing as she does on the grinding “Red Flag.” Moments later, the album’s second lackluster moment comes in the form of the Fetty Wap-assisted “Asking 4 It.”

On Stefani’s first two solo releases, bringing her explosive and manic quirks to a mainstream pop format was her biggest strength. While that can be found occasionally on “This Is What the Truth Feels Like,” for the most part this is a more straightforward outing. Many of the album’s best songs, like the first single “Used To Love You” have a template song structure and minimal instrumental backing. “Truth” is another track that follows this model. It is guided by a beautifully simplistic guitar allowing listeners to focus on the most important aspect of the song, Stefani’s lyrics. The more fast-paced “Rare” closes the album on a strong note allowing a simple guitar riff to add instrumentation until it becomes a full-fledged electronic pop track.

“This Is What the Truth Feels Like“ is available now on Apple Music.