Article by: Jill Ward 8-29-01

On August 14, the multi-talented Ms. MELISSA WILLIAMS released her third non-christmas studio album, Exposed. Weighing in at a healthy thirteen tracks long, the album features a mix of humor, pillow talk, high-energy dance grooves and loads of feisty referrals to her newfound diva-hood.

Melissa describes the new album as "very open and honest." "It's a different thing for me. On my previous albums, I really didn't get much creative freedom, and didn't get to express myself the way I truly wanted to. This time, I did, and it was a lot of fun.," said the pop diva.

The albums first single, "No Player." The sassy number hit the scene with a bang in June, climbing to number three on the charts and at the time quickly became a most-added ditty at radio. The diss-off track with a "bouncy, dark & factorized" beat was inspired by Melissa's own experiences. "[It's about] someone who might be attracted to you, coming up to you with a lame, weak line. It's basically about trying to impress someone untruthfully and being caught in their own tarnished game," she explains. It's a phenomenon the artist jokingly adds happens a lot! But in the funky, new remake of Kool & the Gang's "Get Down On It," Melissa takes matters into her own hands, beckoning the potential suitor to "get their back up off the wall" and come over so they can "dance."

But these more subtle tunes are just a taste of an album that features Melissa in full-on "nasty girl" mode. The artist gets down-n-dirty on cuts like the soppy, "On Your Mind" and the soaring ballad, "Instant Pleasure." And look out EVE, there's another pit bull in the pound! Melissa drops the delicate flower act on more scathing tracks like "He's With Me," a rap/rhyme ditty with a hip hop edge.

Rest assured, however, Exposed keeps its promise of a carefree vibe via cuts like the electric guitar-laced strummer, "Some Kind Of Wonderful." Here Melissa croons, "everytime you're around, i feel like a princess/you treat me like a diamond, nothing more, nothing less." Someone must really be making this pop princess happy! The cut, "Superstar," is a autobiographical tune about "keepin' it real" and keeps you clapping your hands and stomping your feet. And then there's the album's swirling two-step track, "The truth (Should I tell him?)." In between its space-age bleeps, Melissa asks her concience if she should tell her guy about her current cheating.

Longtime producer Dallas Austin recently described Melissa as a person who "never let her head get too big for the door." Perhaps he was right. Exposed closes out with a humble un-listed "Outro" in which Melissa takes about 15 seconds to thank God, and her supporters -- "Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed the album" And after a momentary pause she adds, "Without you, the supporter, and God, my dreams wouldn't have come true. Talk to you soon, I love you."

So did you enjoy it? Look below for a tempting taste of the track listing and make the call for yourself! And don't forget to polish up on your moves and grooves because Melissa is planning a world tour beginning in October 2001! Watch for her in your town!