Whether the genre is pop rock, alternative, rap or gospel, a good song is something that all music artists strive to create.  They want to enthrall their audience with the most energetic and lively tunes a guitar, piano and drums can produce.  Christina Perri’s new album, “Head or Heart,” captures this idea with the perfect combination of instrumentals and vocals.

The first track, Trust, has spicy lyrics and a modern vibe.  The acoustic guitar is the controlling instrument in this spirited song.  The lyrics describe how she is scarred from the mistakes she made in the past, but now she knows not to rely on other people nor let them know her secrets.

Burning Gold speaks of her setting things on fire (metaphorically, of course) to show that Perri feels as if her choices are destroying everything on the path to her future.  This is one of my favorite songs on the album, because I’ve felt this way before, and I can connect with the lyrics “Looking through the window to a world of dreams, I wish the wind would carry a change.”  The tune of this song is spunky, and it carries attitude to the listener’s ears.  I think the message of this song is to follow your dreams and express yourself despite what others think.

The song Human starts with instrumentals and cuts to her voice acapella while light piano notes play in the background.  The chorus of this song is so powerful and emotional.  It makes sense that this was the only single from her album released early (Nov. 28 to be exact) because of its ability to move people.  The lesson of Human is to make mistakes but keep moving on, and that sacrifice is not just a difficult choice but also a part of life.

The overall sound of “Head or Heart” is more mature and relatable than her first album.  A few of my personal favorites are Lonely Child, Butterfly and One Night.

Lonely Child tells a child to slow down; however, the tempo is upbeat.  The usage of drums helps give it a shaky and loose mood.  It is a song that reminds me to have fun even when life seems rough.

Butterfly combines piano with a slow-paced violin to produce feelings of melancholy and loneliness.  Although this song isn’t as happy as Lonely Child or as powerful as Burning Gold, it brings me back to reality in the sense that it’s okay to be sad sometimes.  This song lets you feel what you want to feel, which makes it really unique.

The best song on Perri’s album, though, is hands down One Night, which is centered on the drums to give a steady beat like someone’s heartbeat.  This song has a medium tempo.   The lyrics made me realize that one night can change your life, and the choices you make today you’ll have to live with forever.  It made me really self-aware of my actions but also my potential.

Honestly, I didn’t expect Perri’s album to be this good, but her songs plucked my heartstrings, and now I know the components that make up good, riveting songs.

Parkway West Pathfinder gives Christina Perri’s new album “Head or Heart” a 6.0/10