Album Review: CiCi by Ciara
There’s genuine satisfaction in Ciara’s voice as she balances fulfilled love and hard-won independence, but creatively, the record mostly refines formulas we’ve heard from her before.
Two decades after “Goodies,” Ciara is still chasing the same sweet spot where dance-floor precision meets pop optimism, only now she does it on her own terms. Since launching Beauty Marks Entertainment and moving away from major-label cycles, she has leaned on a steady drip of singles, then the 2023 CiCi EP, then this fuller album that gathers the wins and adds a few new swings. The strategy is clear and modern, which is to lock in a hit, keep the choreography circulating, and extend the lifespan with a bigger, cleaner package. It doubles down on an energetic, dance-oriented R&B sound. The production is glossy and radio-ready, balancing crisp club beats with pop-R&B melodies. Take “How We Roll,” the breezy duet with Chris Brown: its laid-back, summery groove and playful lyrics (Ciara teases “You look at me like that again, we make another kid”) make it an instant earworm. The track’s chemistry feels natural; Ciara and Brown trade flirtations effortlessly, yet one could argue it plays it safe, echoing the vibe of Ciara’s past hits. Similarly, the single “Ecstasy” wraps her vocals in lush, sensual production, very reminiscent of “Promise.” Over a pulsing midtempo beat, Ciara compares her lover to a drug: “’Cause you’re like a hit of ecstasy, I can feel you all inside,” she coos, capturing the song’s intoxicating mood. It’s a sultry, sleek track, impeccably produced and catchy, though its theme of passion-as-drug is familiar territory in R&B.
Throughout the album, the sound is consistently polished, heavy on booming bass, shimmering synths, and the occasional throwback flourish, but it sometimes risks blending into one long party playlist. The overall tone is undeniably fun and high-energy; what it doesn’t always do is carve out a distinctly new identity for Ciara in 2025. Where CiCi does stretch is in its handful of brand-new songs that bookend the project. The opener “Made It” immediately sets an assertive tone. Over triumphant production, Ciara reflects on her journey from the ground up: “Don’t let ’em fool you, Ci got it from the mud… Was at the bottom, soon it’s gotta go up” she declares. The chorus is a victorious earworm (“I finally made it, been paper chasin’… Made many changes, that’s why I’m takin’ off”), turning her personal success into a motivational anthem. It’s one of the album’s most personal statements, directly referencing how far she’s come (likely a nod to her two-decade career and independence as a label boss). On the opposite end of the tracklist, “Drop Your Love” offers a different kind of groove-ready jam clearly designed to spark a line-dance craze on TikTok and at parties. It’s a fun experiment that taps into Ciara’s core strength as a dancefloor commander, even if it’s not particularly deep.
Between these, CiCi sprinkles in other 2024 additions like “Run It Up” (an adrenaline-charged number about securing bags and confidence) and “Dance With Me” featuring Tyga, a straight-to-the-club track. “Dance With Me” finds Ciara inviting a partner to match her moves—“Come dance with me, love… catch it when I throw it right back” she sings over a twerk-friendly bassline. Tyga’s guest verse fits the club theme with his usual braggadocio, and while it adds commercial appeal, it doesn’t reveal any new facets of Ciara’s artistry. These new songs bolster the album’s party atmosphere and show Ciara still knows how to craft a banger, but conceptually, they stick close to her comfort zone. Latto’s appearance on the new track “This Right Here” brings a jolt of attitude. Over a throwback-flavored beat, Ciara handles the catchy chorus, while Latto delivers a no-holds-barred verse that leaves little to the imagination (“Face down, cheeks up, that’s the way I like to—” she boasts, setting a boldly sensual tone). The unlikely pairing works with Ciara’s sweet-but-confident delivery playing off Latto’s raw swagger, and even nods to Ciara’s roots by involving her early-career mentor Jazze Pha in the mix. It’s a memorable collaboration that fuses pop and rap, although it leans on shock value.
Meanwhile, CiCi also folds in the remaining tracks from the prior EP, including “Forever” with Lil Baby and the Big Freedia-assisted “Winning.” Lil Baby’s verse on the romantic “Forever” is understated but effective, complementing Ciara’s melody about wanting love that lasts a lifetime. And on “Winning,” Big Freedia’s booming voice spices up the chorus with New Orleans bounce flavor, as Ciara encourages others to celebrate their blessings. This wavers between themes of love, empowerment, and celebration, but it’s not exactly new territory for Ciara, and it's fitting for where she is in her life. She also takes time to uplift others, particularly women. Even the flirty party tracks carry an undercurrent of confidence—Ciara is consistently in control, whether she’s seducing a lover or leading a dance challenge. However, while the lyrics are solid and occasionally poignant, they don’t offer much beyond positive affirmations and sensual fun. There’s minimal exploration of vulnerability or new storytelling angles. Ciara knows her message and sticks to it, for better or worse, the album consistently preaches self-love, perseverance, and playful intimacy, but rarely surprises with its words. It doesn’t help when “Run It Up,” “2 in Luv,” “Drop Your Love,” and “BRB” try to reheat nachos, just like the latter trying to rehash “Level Up.”
CiCi is an album that plays to Ciara’s strengths without significantly expanding them. The project’s greatest asset is its consistency: virtually every track is glossy, danceable, and confidently delivered, which makes the album an enjoyable ride from start to finish. Longtime fans will find comfort in the up-tempo jams and empowering vibes—it’s the Ciara they know and love, still in her “R&B bag” as promised. The inclusion of previously released hits ensures there are proven crowd-pleasers in the mix, and the new songs slot in seamlessly to keep the party going. Yet, that seamlessness is a double-edged sword. Because many songs echo the formulas of Ciara’s past work (the club bangers, the flirty duets, the inspirational anthems), CiCi at times struggles to assert a unique identity on her new album. It feels less like a bold reinvention and more like a celebratory encore. There’s genuine satisfaction in Ciara’s voice as she balances fulfilled love and hard-won independence, but creatively, the record mostly refines formulas we’ve heard from her before.
Slightly Below Average (★★½☆☆)
Favorite Track(s): “Made It,” “How We Roll,” “Ecstasy”