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Face the Music
Pop · 1994 · 15 tracks

Face the Music

New Kids on the Block

A pivot from bubblegum to gritty New Jack Swing. Heavy bass, street-ready rhythms, and mature harmonies define this attempt to shed the teen-pop image.

January 25, 1994 · Columbia

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A gritty, defensive, and soulful attempt to reclaim artistic identity through heavy grooves and mature R&B.

Tracklist · 15 Tracks
01
Intro: Face the Music
2:15
02
You Got the Flavor
4:51
03
Dirty Dawg
4:16
04
Girls
4:28
05
If You Go Away
5:30
06
Keep on Smilin’
4:36
07
Never Let You Go
5:34
08
Keepin’ My Fingers Crossed
4:18
09
Mrs. Right
5:03
10
Since You Walked Into My Life
6:24
11
Let’s Play House
4:59
12
I Can’t Believe It’s Over
5:08
13
I’ll Still Be Lovin’ You
5:10
14
I’ll Be Waitin’
4:35
15
Dawgappella
4:15
Moments Worth Listening For
The aggressive spoken word confrontation in the intro addressing lip-syncing rumors over a dark, looping beat.
The transition into the heavy, Teddy Riley-esque swing of 'Dirty Dawg' that signaled a complete break from their bubblegum past.
The lush, multi-layered vocal harmonies on 'Never Let You Go' that prove their technical R&B chops remained intact.
Reviews
AllMusic
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Where This Album DepartsEach spoke is a trait. The orange shape shows where this album pulls away from — or holds to — the rest of the artist’s catalogue. Tap for more.

How does Face the Music sound next to the rest of New Kids on the Block's catalogue?

Defiant+2.1σ

Defiant saturates this record far more than the artist's norm.

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