Lotus
by Christina Aguilera
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Nov 13, 2012
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 463 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 318 out of 463
  2. Mixed: 77 out of 463
  3. Negative: 68 out of 463
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  1. NathanCabello
    Dec 16, 2014
    8
    The pop voice with a great album, actually the best album of her, waiting to see if the next will be able to overcome
    Highlights: Army Of Me and Shut Up
    Lows: Empty Worlds and Sing For Me
  2. JeremySpears
    Mar 17, 2020
    7
    Xtina called "Lotus" a rebirth back in 2012. She had been through quite a bit within the two years since her last album "Bionic". Not only did the underperformance of that album really affect her as it seemed to be a very important project to her and her first album that wasn’t a huge success but she also got divorced from her son's dad after 6 years. Let’s not forget the media scrutinyXtina called "Lotus" a rebirth back in 2012. She had been through quite a bit within the two years since her last album "Bionic". Not only did the underperformance of that album really affect her as it seemed to be a very important project to her and her first album that wasn’t a huge success but she also got divorced from her son's dad after 6 years. Let’s not forget the media scrutiny that she faced during that time for gaining weight and for her highly criticized performance of the National Anthem at the 2011 SuperBowl. The album was supposed to address all of that; "the lotus, the unbreakable flower that withstands the test of time, through the harshest weather conditions or any of the roughest roads, it thrives and it survives.” It had a very strong concept (and a gorgeous album cover by the way). However, the finished result ended up being Xtina‘s safest album since her debut (1999). For this project, Christina adopted the dance pop sound that was popular around that time. The album opens with the intro "Lotus". This intro deserved to be an entire song. It’s one of the best tracks on this album and just sounds extremely epic. An amazing way to start the album. For the first time in her career, she collaborated with pop god Max Martin on the dance pop bops and fan favorites "Your Body" and "Let There Be Love". Both of those songs are extremely fun and sexy and two of the best on this project. "Your Body" even has some dubstep influences here and there. Traces of Xtina‘s magnum opus "Stripped" (2002) can be found in "Army of Me", which is a self-empowerment anthem, which feels like a dance pop version of "Fighter". "Make the World Move", a duet with her fellow The Voice coach CeeLo Green, is another fun dance track that incorporates elements of R&B and soul music but is also a dance pop song overall. "Red Hot Kinda Love" is a sexy carefree bop. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Christina Aguilera album without the ballads. My favorite ballad on this album is "Best of Me". It’s a beautiful song about not letting others knock you down. "Just a Fool", a duet with another fellow The Voice coach Blake Shelton, is a country pop song about a breakup and it’s just as beautiful as "Best of Me". "Light Up the Sky" is another breathtaking, epic ballad/mid-tempo song. The production is a bit bad in some parts though. Those were the highlights of the album but there are also some not so good moments on here. The anti-haters song "Circles" is one big noise. "Around the World" sounds extremely trashy. Three of the album’s ballads "Empty Words", "Sing for Me" and "Blank Page" don’t hurt anyone but they are kinda boring and don’t add anything in my opinion. The closing track of the album "Shut Up" is kiiiinda fun but also messy and a bit trashy. While she pushed boundaries and re-invented herself with her previous three albums "Stripped", "Back to Basics" and "Bionic", it feels like she is chasing trends and trying to do damage control for the underperformance of "Bionic". It does have great messages but it feels like she tried to recreate "Stripped". However, I don’t think this album was as terrible as everyone says it was. It’s a fun, good pop album that has its strengths and its weaknesses. I don’t think Xtina even knows how to make a bad album. Favorites: Lotus Intro, Your Body, Best of Me, Let There Be Love, Light Up the Sky & Make the World Move… Expand
  3. Haandy
    Dec 16, 2020
    10
    De longe é o album mais inferior da Xtina, mas tem seus lados positivos e musicas deliciosas.
  4. LipeFireworks
    Feb 13, 2017
    7
    Melhor album dela desde o back to basics, odeio o bionic, esse album é maravilhoso morto que tem gente que nao gosta, um album que tem Army Of Me, Your Body, Sing For Me nao merece ser chamada de ruim
  5. pauldiam
    Jun 19, 2018
    10
    Don't be fooled by the chart numbers or what the critics say. This album is probably her best. I don't understand why it was not a success, maybe wrong or little promotion? But one thing is certain: "Lotus" is way better than the rubbish Rihanna has been releasing every year, especially the last one. From rock-tinged moves like 'Army of Me' and 'Cease Fire' to old-school flavors such asDon't be fooled by the chart numbers or what the critics say. This album is probably her best. I don't understand why it was not a success, maybe wrong or little promotion? But one thing is certain: "Lotus" is way better than the rubbish Rihanna has been releasing every year, especially the last one. From rock-tinged moves like 'Army of Me' and 'Cease Fire' to old-school flavors such as 'Red Hot Kinda Love' and 'Make the World Move' (featuring Cee-Lo Green), from post-divorce ballads like 'Blank Page' and 'Sing for Me' to fun records such as 'Circles' and 'All around the World' to masterpiece lead single 'Your Body', this album is worth at least a listen. Interestingly, my favorite track is the three-minute long title intro which can be considered as a song itself with its fabolous melody and arrangement.… Expand
  6. AngelAntonio96
    Apr 9, 2018
    10
    Arte en su máxima expresión, una joya. Merecia mas reconocimiento, y no ese amarillo de la critica aqui :/ bueno pero eso no le quita lo magnifico a este album. Mucho mejor que toda la carrera de britney spears
  7. KingdomHeart
    Dec 4, 2013
    7
    Lotus is a great divide in the career of Christina, unlike previous albums he has no set theme, sounds just like it was another album released, however the album opens with an interesting intro, despite being just a intro, ''Lotus Intro'' is one of the best songs on the album, the highlights are also ''Blank Page'', ''Army of Me'', ''Best of Me'' and ''Just A Fool'', the rest is not veryLotus is a great divide in the career of Christina, unlike previous albums he has no set theme, sounds just like it was another album released, however the album opens with an interesting intro, despite being just a intro, ''Lotus Intro'' is one of the best songs on the album, the highlights are also ''Blank Page'', ''Army of Me'', ''Best of Me'' and ''Just A Fool'', the rest is not very surprising, Lotus sounds like something slacker who had no proper job, after all Aguilera can still develop a good job.… Expand
  8. evildevil17
    Jul 3, 2018
    10
    With songs like "Just a Fool" or "Blang Page" Aguilera proved she's the queen of ballads. Yet the album is very catchy, and radio-friendly (listen to "Let There Be Love" or "Around the World"). While it's not Aguilera's best release to date, it's actually an underrated piece full of unsung gems.
  9. Hogdion
    Feb 15, 2019
    7
    For her standards, it's average. However, i can totally see this as someone else's album. It's a good pop record, but the production makes it worse than it is. It also includes some of her worst songs of all time.
  10. leafar0997
    Apr 22, 2013
    7
    Christina is one of the best singers ever without any doubt. Her voice is simply stunning and she is so versatile. So this can be not her best album, that's for sure, but she is amazing
  11. Markosvini
    Mar 26, 2013
    9
    álbum muito bom, com uma gentileza incomparável e uma beleza exuberante, Christina Aguilera mostra todo seu potencial com agudos e batidas que podem não agradar muito a critica, mas vão fazer todos ficarem loucos por essa obra prima da RCA.
  12. popstyle
    Jun 15, 2017
    10
    Xtina se levanta e faz um album que destroi totalmente as pessoas que não gostaram de seu album "Bionic". Após voltar de uma situação complicada ela da uma volta por cima, com letras que mostram seu empodeiramento e que ela não esta para brincadeiras.A primeira faixa do album mostra sua reerguida e de que agora ela se abre o lotus dentro dela. Um conceito mais que incrivel, impecavel, tãoXtina se levanta e faz um album que destroi totalmente as pessoas que não gostaram de seu album "Bionic". Após voltar de uma situação complicada ela da uma volta por cima, com letras que mostram seu empodeiramento e que ela não esta para brincadeiras.A primeira faixa do album mostra sua reerguida e de que agora ela se abre o lotus dentro dela. Um conceito mais que incrivel, impecavel, tão bom que alfinetou a critica e a imprensa que sem reação, deram notas baixas ao album que diz: "Meu nome é Christina Aguilera , e o que falam de mim não é importante". Ela não abre somente seu lotus, mas abre tambem o modo foda-se para todos,… Expand
  13. TheAxl
    Aug 28, 2020
    10
    She returned to her beginnings as Stripped or Christina Aguilera, but as the critics asking for something new and fresh they put her aside, Your body, omg a great song! That should have had more recognition, Besides, it was a very good album to relax from all the stressful things. HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.
  14. ClaudooSSia
    Jul 9, 2013
    8
    During one of her interviews Christina said, that "Lotus" is "fun, exciting, introspective, it's going to be great". Yes, it's definitely Christina's poppiest album since her debut in 1999. Tracks like "Your Body", "Red Hot Kinda Love", "Let There Be Love" and "Around The World" are the perfect club bangers. There are also some personal, beautiful ballads like "Sing For Me", "Blank Page"During one of her interviews Christina said, that "Lotus" is "fun, exciting, introspective, it's going to be great". Yes, it's definitely Christina's poppiest album since her debut in 1999. Tracks like "Your Body", "Red Hot Kinda Love", "Let There Be Love" and "Around The World" are the perfect club bangers. There are also some personal, beautiful ballads like "Sing For Me", "Blank Page" and "Best Of Me". But "Lotus" is not only pop and R&B album. There's a country heart-breaking ballad "Just A Fool" featuring Blake Shelton, alternative "middle-finger to haters" song "Circles" and (finally) ragga/electronica/R&B/dubstep multigenre masterpiece "Cease Fire". There's a few misfires including chaotic "Make The World Move" and excessively vulgar "Shut Up". Besides that "Lotus" is another solid album in Christina's career.

    8 out of 10    … Expand
  15. dpaniagua
    Nov 19, 2012
    10
    this is one of the best album Christina Aguilera has made since 2006's back to Basics. She has changed her evolution to keep up with all these other auto tuned artists but her vocals stand out from each track.
  16. sakislv
    Nov 4, 2013
    7
    Lotus is honestly a good record. It's not very commercial but it's a big improvement after the disastrous Bionic. Standout tracks include: let there be love, empty words, lotus and blank page. If some songs were cut it would be more cohesive but overall it's a good work.
  17. Hipsteran
    Nov 15, 2012
    7
    Lotus is the album Christina wanted to create but failed in Bionic. Stand out tracks include: Army of Me, Blank Page, Make the World Move and Empty Words
  18. drobinson35
    Dec 12, 2013
    8
    I think the best way to start this review is to say that I personally enjoyed Christina's 2010 release 'Bionic', despite the fact it's critical and chart receptions were so-so to not good at all. I thought the Sia ballads were flawless, and the departure from Christina's norm was a nice change in my opinion. That being said, that was then and this is now... And here on 'Lotus', AguileraI think the best way to start this review is to say that I personally enjoyed Christina's 2010 release 'Bionic', despite the fact it's critical and chart receptions were so-so to not good at all. I thought the Sia ballads were flawless, and the departure from Christina's norm was a nice change in my opinion. That being said, that was then and this is now... And here on 'Lotus', Aguilera re-emerges... A much stronger force than before.

    'Lotus' isn't the pop masterpiece I hoped for... But on top 40 standards, Christina certainly delivered. There's powerhouse radio cuts like 'Let There Be Love' and 'Just a Fool', and flawless soulful takes like 'Make the World Move' and 'Sing for Me'. There's also a lot of playful cuts like 'Cease Fire' and 'Circles'. Plus, perhaps the strongest moment on 'Lotus', Sia returns on 'Blank Page'. All of these cuts remind us what a powerhouse of a vocalist Christina Aguilera really is, and her iconic status as one of the best voices of this generation. What stops this record from being a masterpiece though is it's lack of flow. Unlike Christina's mammoth releases 'Stripped' and 'Back to Basics', this album still feels Inconcise and a little all over the place sonically. That being said it's a decent step in the right direction!    … Expand
  19. Panboy1995
    Nov 11, 2021
    8
    Es un buen album, tiene letras inspiradoras, sonidos nuevos, un estilo que quizá no queda bien en Christina si se compara con otras eras, pero es parte de la reinventacion, como fan quede con ganas de más, mis favoritas son Let there be love, best of me, blank page.
  20. mrmonster
    Nov 13, 2012
    10
    A perfect album, from the sexist woman in the music business. Christina Aguilera goes above and beyond in this amazing album, with her best song ever "Your Body". Pure perfection, from one of America's hottest women. Whoever said she was fat and ugly need to get hit in the head with a brick.
  21. Mikecael
    Jun 16, 2018
    10
    My strange love for Lotus is unexplained . The track sing for me is one of the songs who deserved been a single
  22. pumawhite
    Dec 29, 2012
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a really good album ! , so the only thing you have to do is go and buy it ! most of the song are really good , specially just a fool , army of me , blank page , cease fire etc. if you hear people who says she oversing in this album , one thing is oversing and other is to sing with passion and thats what christina does in this awesome recording… Expand
  23. Adrianorsini
    Jun 16, 2018
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. new album is amazing, a work of art
    Christina Aguilera has the gift to reinvent herself in music whenever she takes the initiative of her albums, she continues being the greatest inspiration of generations for music, for her talent, love of music and of course her voice that is the best in the industry musical, simply deserves Grammy of the album of the year. the song "maria", "pipe" and "fall in line" are the great highlights of the album and that no matter what musical style she sings, she simply does with love, so it is wonderful. success.    … Expand
  24. Nicolasaguilera
    Sep 25, 2020
    10
    Christina Aguilera
  25. mariamedia
    Jun 21, 2022
    10
    Very underrated album. It has good dance music and some classic Aguilera songs. Blank Page, Let there be love and Just a Fool definetely deserved better.
  26. xtinabubbles
    Oct 17, 2015
    10
    Este álbum es fantástico, todas sus canciones son muy buenas, todas me gustan, a mi me encanta, amo lo que hace Xtina, ella es fantástica, todo lo que hace ella con su voz, es ¡wow!
  27. boucherilya
    Jul 25, 2017
    10
    BRITNEY JEAN WILL NEVER! Christina as always have been slayed with this album! deserves the grammy in nomination "song of the year" with the smash hit "your body"! Loves it!
  28. pcaiquex
    Jul 10, 2018
    9
    Christina seja se divertindo ou nos emocionando, apresenta um álbum que podemos categoricamente chamar de seu.
  29. RestuSandika
    May 22, 2022
    10
    Listening it on the verge of its decade-anniversary, this albums truly has lived up to its name: a flower that stands the test of time, that thrives under the harshest of weather conditions. All the tracks still sound so fresh and might as well competable with any current pop releases.
  30. Satellites
    Nov 13, 2012
    10
    Ms. Aguilera has certainly been through a lot lately and her music reflects that greatly. Being known as a pop villain certainly hasn't gained her any fans in music or in the general public, but she knows that and she accepts the role. Still, Christina has a soft side that she only feels safe showing inside of the studio where she feels she can be free to be herself without outsideMs. Aguilera has certainly been through a lot lately and her music reflects that greatly. Being known as a pop villain certainly hasn't gained her any fans in music or in the general public, but she knows that and she accepts the role. Still, Christina has a soft side that she only feels safe showing inside of the studio where she feels she can be free to be herself without outside judgement. In "Light Up The Sky," one of the best bonus tracks you will ever hear, Ms. Aguilera blasts her gorgeous vocals over a piano as she sings about how there is a chance to overcome any sort of adversity that holds one down. Some may find the message of peace and harmony a little overused, but coming from Christina it feels genuine, the pain in her voice is something not many in pop can convey. The same pain can be heard in "Army Of Me," a solid track where Christina sings that she is wiser, stronger, and a fighter, probably alluding to the fact that her past releases haven't been the most successful of her career. She sings that she has a thousand faces that will rise up and fight against whatever evil comes her way. Moving on to a more risky recording, "Red Hot Kinda Love" offers a new sound for Ms. Aguilera, she sings over an intricately produced track and delivers something only Beyoncé could bring to the table from this generation of stars. the hook is the best part of the song as she yodels before the start of a chorus that is bound to get stuck in your head. If any song is a comeback smash single it is "Let There Be Love," not only is the chorus a memorable one, but the entire song feels ready for Top 40 without feeling like something we've heard four times this year. "Just A Fool," one of her duets with her fellow Voice coach Blake Shelton, offers something slow and well sang from both artists. It starts beautifully with Christina singing about something she has experience in as of late, losing love. Using her voice as a tool, she sways gorgeously through the first verse, Blake then joins her with his much needed masculine vocals and adds everything that makes the song a winter time smash on radio, she may even get country spins.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Most Discussed Album of 2012
15
#15 Most Shared Album of 2012

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Q Magazine
    Dec 11, 2012
    40
    Nothing really stands out like the best thing here, Make The World Move, featuring fellow Voice Judge, Cee-Lo Green. [Jan 2013, p.101]
  2. Exclaim
    Nov 27, 2012
    70
    This might not be the golden, triumphant comeback Aguilera had hoped for, but it's pretty close and, let's face it, it's better than most Top 40 music right now.
    Read full review
  3. Rolling Stone
    Nov 20, 2012
    50
    This vitriol-tsunami of a record misses a chance to connect Aguilera's music with her warm, empathetic TV presence.
    Read full review
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