An iconic moment in pop just happened. The legend Gwen Stefani finally released her third solo album This Is What the Truth Feels Like, 10 years after her sophomore effort The Sweet Escape (and don't forget all her work with No Doubt, such as the iconic diamond-certified album Tragic Kingdom that first put Gwen on the map in 1995). After having scrapped an uninspired album with help from Benny Blanco, Pharrell, and Charli XCX (to understand the vein of this scrapped album, listen to the now buzz singles "Baby Don't Lie" and "Spark the Fire"), Gwen went in a new direction fueled by her divorce from Gavin Rossdale, with whom she has three boys, and by her newfound love with fellow The Voice judge Blake Shelton, with whom she's "obsessed". Listeners can tell which of the songs are dedicated to the former and which to the latter. These inspirations facilitated Gwen's artistic process and alleviated her writers' block. This album exceeded my expectations, being on par with her previous two albums, LAMB and The Sweet Escape, which I didn't expect because it's been ten to twelve years since those were released, but the humble Gwen shows everyone that she's still got it and that she's more strong, in love, and confident in herself than she's ever been. The album perfectly combines various sounds: urban/R&B, dreamy mellow pop, throwback pop, power ballads, EDM, and those crazy upbeat songs that everyone knows and loves Gwen for. The best songs on Gwen's album are the ones with which she pushed the boundaries and deviated from the norm: opening track and promotional single "Misery" is not a good example of this. The song is dreamy, blissful and euphoric pop, a passionate statement to Blake Shelton, who Gwen says is "like drugs to me". The chorus is sung powerfully, but it lacks the special something that most Gwen songs have. "You're My Favorite" is a feel-good urban midtempo with amazing production matched with snaps. "Where Would I Be" is very interesting, with a production/beat that emphasizes the downbeat and a chorus and intro that harkens back to the old days of music, juxtaposed with a more modern and urban prechorus that basically acts as a (second) chorus. "Make Me Like You" is pop perfection: it's the most commercial song on the album, but still really Gwen. She really utilizes her original voice in the best way, and no one else can sound like she does. Her tone really shines through. "Truth" is a heartfelt, stripped down pop ballad with a powerful message: "Thank you for saving me". The simple verses are juxtaposed with a powerful chorus, and the song is special because it's from where the album title originated. This is the main essence of the album. "Used to Love You" has two versions: the live version, which I prefer due to its rawness and minimalist production, and the studio version. The studio version better fits on the album, with its radio-friendly production. The emotion and rawness of Gwen's vocals on the live version cannot be surpassed; it's a Kelly Clarkson Piece by Piece original vs American Idol situation. I prefer ballads as conventional ballads rather than disguised as pop songs; however, ballads or slower songs with EDM (rather than pop) elements are my favorites (like a song that's about to be reviewed). "Send Me a Picture" is an urban/R&B song in the vein of "You're My Favorite", and, honestly, I could do without it. I'd have preferred a yearning ballad like "Early Winter" instead. However, the after-chorus is extremely catchy, easily my favorite part. "Red Flag" is an interesting song that isn't for everyone, but since I love Gwen's eccentricities, I really enjoy it. Unlike most artists, Gwen doesn't just sing in her albums, she talks, shouts, moans, and even cries (sometimes ironically), and she does all of this in "Red Flag". It's a pop song with sing-rap verses, a throwback timeless falsetto-led pre-chorus, and a chanting chorus. The song is dedicated to Gavin Rossdale, and how all of Gwen's red flags about him started to unravel and become concrete. The way she shouts "This is your punishment!" and her artificial crying, presumably as if she misses Gavin, at the end of the bridge is excellent. This Is What the Truth Feels Like wouldn't be a Gwen album without a rapper, and potential single "Asking 4 It" featuring Fetty Wap, one of Gwen's favorites, is among the album highlights. Gwen's vocals are very subtle and smooth in this song, as opposed to "Make Me Like You" and "Red Flag", for instance, but they're very refreshing. Fetty actually provides a good addition to the song. Even though his words are incomprehensible, his rap is so catchy and fits perfectly with the song. "Naughty" is another unapologetic 100%-Gwen song with jazz-influenced verses and a hard-hitting chorus that ends with the simply yet powerfully stated "You've been naughty" followed by three well executed moans. My favorite part is when Gwen says "ah oh my gawdddddddd" three times at the end of the song; I swear no one else can pull this stuff off but Gwen. These little things elevate the songs, add to a memorability factor, and assert what makes Gwen who she is as a musician and what her music is and consists of that only she can do. "Me Without You" is the "4 in the Morning" of the album, the most touching song on the album with sad elements and a powerful chorus. Only heartbreak can inspire Gwen to make songs as beautiful as this one. "Rare", the album closer, is hypnotizing and downtempo, the perfect follow-up to "Me Without You". In the lovely chorus, Gwen sings "You're rare, and only a stupid girl would let you go". How personal and real and authentic the album as a whole is, is why the album is resonating with the public and why I'm glad Gwen chose and was able to embark on this musical route as opposed to her scrapped album. Now, on to the deluxe tracks. "Rocket Ship" is another upbeat song on the album, but in pales in comparison to the others, perhaps because the chorus doesn't really go anywhere. My favorite part of the song, however, is the after-chorus: the way Gwen says "look at me rising, I'm not even trying, like whoa whoa whoa" is so euphonious. "Getting Warmer" is my favorite song on the album. I love when Gwen uses her yearning, beckoning voice like on "Early Winter" and like she does here (especially in the after-chorus "Am I closer to the suuuun suuuun, tell me baby, are you the onnnne onnnne". The song could have gone in "Early Winter"'s direction, but instead of a power ballad chorus, the chorus is a smooth urban-influenced stellar EDM breakdown. It sounds crazy, but it works so well. This song is so unlike anything else currently out there, and it's just so special. The fact that it's only a (Target) bonus track is criminal; hopefully, it can still be a single a la Taylor Swift's "New Romantics". Another excellent bonus track is "Obsessed". It's similar to "Naughty", but I like it even more. Like in many songs on the album, Gwen lets the pre-chorus shine over the chorus and it's difficult and arguable to distinguish between the two. This song is just so perfectly executed, and the simple chorus emphasizes the simple truth: that Gwen is obsessed with her beloved Blake. There's nothing else to say, no need to waste words. More Gwen elements in the song is how she talks in the bridge and shouts an impressive A5 in the end - "WHAT?!" The last song "Splash" is a feel-good downtempo pop song that doesn't really stand out among some of the excellence on the album, but is another hypnotizing song with a strong pre-chorus and chorus, albeit forgettable verses. International edition track "Loveable" is a grower with its vocally unconventional chorus. It's a subtle urban song, with low pitch vocals in the verses and a drop beat similar to Demi Lovato's "Waiting for You". The pre-chorus and chorus are powerful pleas about change and how Gwen is loveable, and that's an understatement. One of the later choruses is extra powerful because there is no production behind it, and it's just beautiful. Last track is Japanese edition track "War Paint", which has tribal elements in the vein of "Baby Don't Lie". It's not the most hard-hitting listen, but it's definitely a refreshing listen on the album. This Is What the Truth Feels Like is such a terrific album, and I'm glad Gwen made a comeback because our generation deserves to experience her excellence (Tragic Kingdom, Rocksteady, LAMB, and even The Sweet Escape were just too long ago). Anyone who likes Gwen's voice and musical stylings will adore this album.