This is the first review I’ve written fully while on holiday, so it may be a bit short.
The Original High is Adam Lambert’s third studio album. It leaves behind some of the more rock-oriented elements of his previous work in favour of a more consistent electropop sound. I have to admit I like it less because of this. Still, the rock isn’t completely gone, Lucy features Queen guitarist Brian May, and perhaps a bit sheepishly I confess it’s a highlight on the album for this reason. What can I say? I like rock music.
Lambert again worked with a lot of other writers on this album. He’s a co-writer on 9 of the 11 tracks, with 29 others being given writing credits. I think this helps the album have more variety than it might otherwise have.
I think for me that The Original High falls a bit flat because it leaves behind some of the reasons I like Lambert in the first place. In his own words, the album is “less campy and theatrical” than his previous work. Frankly, the campy and theatrical bits are the bits I like. The Original High, perhaps, represents Lambert moving on and growing as an artist, but from my perspective, it’s just a bit more boring.
But is The Original High actually bad? I don’t think so. Less unique? Maybe. For me the highlights of the album are when it breaks out of its genre, but the rest of the album is still fine. 2½ stars.