Artist: Dondria
Album: Dondria vs. Phatfffat
Release Date: 8.17.10
Almost a year ago, Sound-Savvy caught up with Dondria on the red carpet of the 2009 Soul Train Awards and, when asked about her debut album she gushed with excitement: “I love to sing, this is what I love to do. I just wanna get out there and I want people to hear me.” (read full interview here) On her debut album “Dondria vs. Phatfffat” (not a concept title) it’s her singing that dominates. The project is mostly about young love, and her topics are approached with a youthful flair that reflects the typical innocence of a girl embracing womanhood. Moreover, this album is a reminder of what R&B music is built on: great vocals and beautiful melodies.
Dondria first made an impact with You’re The One (click to view video), the emotive ballad that served as the album’s lead single and accurately reflects the sound and feel of the entire project. Vocally, she continues to shine on the latest single Makin’ Love, which focuses less on the act and more on the feeling of being in love. Still Be With Me has one of the album’s best melodies and tells a great story of reflecting on the way things could’ve been. Other standouts on the album include Can You Help Me, Believer and the closing ballad Kissed By The Sun, one of the biggest songs on the album in terms of sound and production.
For some more upbeat flavor, Dondria teamed up with Johnta Austin and Diamond (formerly of Crime Mob) on the album’s second single ‘Shawty Wsup’ (click to view video) which, if I’m being honest, had to grow on me. It has that “ATL bounce” feel that gives it club appeal and it’s a different style for Dondria but I’m not quite sure it fits the style that works best for an artist of her caliber. It is, however, the only record of its kind on the album. Jermaine Dupri produced a “Jeep Mix” remix to her single You’re The One, which really could’ve been left off the album and saved as a B-Side for the single.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how much this album bears semblance to some of the R&B albums of the late 90’s, including Monica’s Miss Thang (content), XScape’s Off The Hook (composition) and even some of Destiny’s Child’s earlier work (vocally) – in part, due to Dupri’s involvement. I also can’t help but notice the restraint on much of the album, leaving room for growth on future projects. Songs like Believer and Still Be With Me give way for Dondria to soar into some much bigger notes and a bigger sound that she’s clearly capable of, but she doesn’t go for the big notes and showcase all her abilities on this project. Still, this debut is a solid release, combining classic R&B stylings with youthful innocence in a way that exhibits her potential. Formidable but not flawless, I’m curious to see what the future holds for So So Def’s new R&B starlet, she’s off to a good start.
Sound-Savvy rates Dondria vs. Phatfffat with 3.5 out of 5 platinum headphones
I’m gping to pick up the album..she caught my interest…
lame azz shit, jd thought he was doin somethin, nnnneexxxt she dont have star quality and her videos are lame azz shit, and she cant perform worth shit, shes so boring!!!! went to her concert and bbbooooooooo!!!!! #sityoazzdown her carreer will be over soon, that sad part is that she had more views and fans when she was unfamous now shes famous her views and fans dissappeared, lol, sosodef needs to give it up!!!!!!
I love the album Can You Help Me is my fav track. I agree this does give you a great feeling of R&B, with this being Dondria’s first album I think she is off to a great start with so much room for growth and truly express her vocal talent!!