Review Roundup: Kristinia DeBarge - 'Exposed'
Kristinia DeBarge’s debut album Exposed dropped this week. Does James DeBarge’s 19-year-old daughter live up to the family name? Find out below.
Entertainment Weekly: Exposed‘s airy, girlish pop—especially cotton-candy Casio grooves like “Future Love” and “Died in Your Eyes”—mostly recalls the female stars of her dad’s era: Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, Paula Abdul, and (coincidence?) Exposé. B
Rolling Stone: On her Babyface-assisted debut, this 19-year-old nearly pulls a hamstring striving for the emotive power of Rihanna or Christina. But she’s most fun riding lilting, girly R&B not so different from her dad James’ tunes in 1980s group DeBarge. 3 out of 5
Los Angeles Times: She’s best in two tracks co-written by another savvy recycler, Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic: “Future Love,” originally recorded last year by the ill-fated boy band Varsity Fanclub, and “Speak Up,” which Tedder also produced in his signature emo-soul style (think of Leona Lewis’ “Bleeding Love”). Neither is shocking; both are awesome. 2.5 out of 4
Newsday: Exposed really does unveil DeBarge, who’s set to open for Britney Spears this fall, as a complete package and a music marketer’s dream—a teenager who can sing grown-up songs and make them feel young, and feel comfortable with everything from hip-hop to Celine Dion ballads. B+
Rap-Up’s Favorite Tracks: “Future Love,” “Goodbye,” “Sabotage”