1. Troubled Spotlight
The opening track on Chasing The Renegades, entitled "Troubled Spotlight" starts off 'Chasing The Renegades' which goes in a slightly different direction then current singles released by Cristina. This track takes a more uptempo approach that may have you tapping your foot against the floor as you hear the hunger in Cristina's voice. The song which was produced by Von S. (Michelle Green's "Fifteen" & Red Symphony") explores a heavily influenced Symphonic Chorus and haunting unapologetic clapping&drum pounding backing beat that you are served with as soon as you start listening to the track. You can tell this is no love song. Cristina's powerful voice gets straight to the point and making it no surprise as that this is a wrathful track yet one that gives off a message in this Indie Pop/Symphonic tune.
Cristina sings about being in the spotlight when you are in a troubling moment of your life and how hard it can become juggling your problems as the whole world is watching, as well as pointing out how wrong it is when people get exploited through rough times. A page right out of her diary book turned into an angry memo of stormy lyrics.
Cristina takes a brave approach speaking out for herself not to mention the people falling victim to this unfortunate way of life. One that Cherise has fallen victim to, and another that was glorified heavily leading to Frost's demise.

Through the pounding beat, which gets seems to get "bigger" as the song goes on into the chorus where it breaks into a memorable symphonic tune that mixes in the former instruments added on with a huge symphony and Lake's voice mixing in perfectly as she goes into a high pitch tone for the chorus as the backing band continues, and then slows down eerily with Cristina's voice going onto the next verse..

What stands out in this track is Cristina's emotion when singing with such "big" production and to which may, or may not be to your surprise Cristina eagerly holds her own against the production of the track only showing her vulnerability when singing the high notes during the bridge as the song loses its backing beat and is left with a drum solo with Cristina singing along, followed by the continuation of the drums until the end of the song and the first track off of the album.


2. The Days You Might Fill With Laughter
The next track and a single off of the album named 'The Days You Might Fill With Laughter' starts off with a dreamy backing beat and a harp filled melody followed by Piano notes going slowly, about 61 beats per minute to be exact, an initial relaxing sound that'll have you swaying your head at first. The relaxation turns captivating as Cristina starts singing. The dreariness and vulnerability yet captivating tone that she possesses make us realize that the emotion is full on in the song as the dreamy beat backs behind her vocals as she sings You're like a laughing cool breeze and whispers (I feel You) that may get us to wonder is she talking about Jack Frost's ghost? If you know the history throughout the unbelievable ordeal Cristina might have gone through, you might just get a spine tangling sensation down your neck, or your hairs standing up as she sings deeply about the days someone would fill with laughter and how despite all the sadness she loved that person from the start. As she reminisces. Listening to the track, you might be able to relate, being caught in a situation, when you lose someone, you think of all the times where you would be with that person, and how they would make it an amazing experience, and you begin to miss that person.

The track stays at this pace as it sways with Cristina's dreamy and compassionate vocals as the baroque pop elements shine throughout the chorus and bridge with violins and slow, and light piano notes. This slow to mid tempo track stays this way throughout the entire song making it a good listen, a relaxing one that yet again may have you feeling how Cristina Lake felt when she was actually recording the song.



3. Flashbacks
The next track on Chasing The Renegades is Flashbacks. The song takes a more in your face approach. The song starts off with low and slow rumbling that are sound quite eerie, adorned with keyboard notes appearing every two seconds followed by violins that sway along depressingly but has Cristina sounding more confident than the track before, as she starts singing about these flashbacks she's been getting in a very low toned matter, drearily but memorizing as she vocalizes "Oh these flashbacks, they wont leave me, they keep on hautin' me, killin me, scarin' me and I dont know where to turn anymore" with the jazzy twist Cristina holds on her voice the song continues to rumble across. The song then breaks into a catchy pounding beat that is continued on with clapping instrumentals and out of no where the song breaks into the chorus as Cristina breaks out into a vulnerable cry out about running away from these scary flashbacks that wont stop chasing behind her. The chorus is big, it sounds like a huge movie soundtrack, and wouldn't be surprised if this could be a headline soundtrack for one of Cristina's movies. She sings vigorously trying to find an end to this unpleasant nostalgia :"And I'll keep runnin', runnin', I'm runnin' to dark end, trying to get away, cause these crazy flashbacks, flashbacks, yeah these crazy flashbacks aren't lettin me live my way..no I'm not crazy, maybe? There's no one I got here to save me so I'll keep runnin, runnin, I'm runnin to dark end" as Cristina questions her own psych as she croons across the dramatic track. The song does slow down however, as the bridge creeps up on the listeners, its flows its way into a gaudy creeping beat that maintains its interesting beats. Cristina starts belting out her effortless high notes. She then stops singing and lets the music ride out for seconds into the chorus as she sings the memorable words and following the final chorus, the track is brought to the end with the start of these depressing violins. And the song takes an end to this chapter.

4. Resurrection ft. Winston Marsh
Following the track before our fourth song off of CTR you move onto the next track. Resurrection, a track that might have gotten a listener intrigued on seeing what Cristina could do with leading man of Gears Of Fate, Winston Marsh. As a pair, they give us a ponderous chamber pop missile. The song starts off with an experimental like start, with different beats and synth as this is something that you wouldn't exactly expect from Winston. However, lets keep in mind that this is Cristina's album and would come as no surprise that the start of the track is full of beats that lay across the synth. Cristina's bring her vulnerable sounding, but strong vocals for the beginning of the track as she sings through lyrics about being resurrected (which means to be brought back again). It comes to us as interesting as Cristina literally fell off the face of the earth following her return, she sings with this interesting type of emotion, almost sounding like on the break of crying but still remaining forceful with the nature of this spiritual sounding track. Winston follows his way after Cristina and soars in this atmosphere. Something this dramatic take us quite by surprise by the Gears Of Fate front man but he may galvanize the listener with the slick bounding and synthesizers. It might have the listener swaying their head. They join each other as they chant out the chorus together. They're voices mix well together in this tempo with Winston having this quirky, enduring voice and Cristina's being quite unorthodox but with beautiful force and harmony. For the bridge, Cristina sings alone, about re-emerging with the backing beat seemingly disappearing, and just the pounding and occasional clapping sounds.


5. Hands To A Naked Heart
The next track, Hands To A Naked Heart, may be one of the more indie pop driven tracks. That'a already heard when Cristina starts strumming her voice along before the actual beat comes in on the track, it does seconds later however as this folk like beat starts swaying along hypnotically with this small micro percussion and budding notes as Cristina girlishly sings through the undertone in a misty whisper tone as she yearns for someone to put their hands to her Naked heart. Not literally, but any listener would know Cristina is calling out to someone to love her bare heart in the symbolic manner of the naked heart actually representing, or Cristina herself. "Hold your hands to a naked heart, my naked heart, I think I'm in love with you. Naked Heart, my naked heart I think I really want you, naked and beating, come join me unison, it's not a sin" over clopping percussion, and a folk styled beat tiny distorted beats carefully aiding these instruments as Cristina sings in her tone with the bits of synth and mandolin fluctuating throughout the bridge and ending chorus.






6. Until I'm Dead
The next tune off the album is Until I'm Dead. Some may be familiar with this tantalizing single by Cristina. Following the release of a song like "The Days You Might Fill With Laughter" that has impacted contemporary radio stations like it has, its interesting that this song followed, and not a surprise as this is clearly one of Cristina's stand out tracks and one that's gets out her personal message. In this track, Cristina seems to hypnotize her listeners in this crooning lyrical lullaby that tells another beautiful ode of Cristina's, even from the very start. The beats in the early beginning, tap lightly against the beat that follows as well as Cristina beginning off the track without a wait, the synths and backing beat gracing with mid speed as Cristina gives her love, until she's dead. Your eyes, Their voices| Your lies, My| choices| Everything I did to be with you. Cristina sings to someone deeply with the whispery tone to her voice that isn't exactly heard in the first single of this album. Cristina continues with the beat staying the same speed: |And I’m small| I’m empty| I’m lonely| But I love this|You don’t deserve it| If you can’t accept it and out of no where the song speeds up, not to fast, and slips into an indie/synth harmonizing masterpiece as the melody's move tune with each other, Christina sings |We’re connected in ties| You disgrace me when you left| I have no choice but to cry| ‘Cause I’ll love you until I’m dead. Is it the listeners fault that it always seems as if Cristina's singing to a lost one, but we aren't sure, maybe when you think of Cristina singing the words "You disgrace me when you left, I have no choice but to cry", is she meaning to sing this to someone who "left" as in leaving Cristina in a relationship, or in death. It's a mind bender that may have someone wondering as Cristina sings with much emotion as the chorus ends and adds in violins that just add to the dreary, sad yet enjoyable and melodic chorus. If you like the despairing violin notes, you will be in heaven as they re-appear more heavily for the chorus as Cristina sings Please say| You love me| So I can be happy| Stay here, Be Near| I can’t live if you leave. The chorus then re-appears with Cristina singing out the rest of the song.



7. Getaway
The next track finds a vocally firm and powerful Lake. The tracks starts off with these sorrowful piano notes. With not much of a backing beat. The song might remind you of a massively sad track you might find yourself listening to at the lowest of your lows. Cristina's voice roars from the beginning. As she opens up about being at the lowest of her lows, aching for a getaway. When things become too much for you, and you feel the need to just ..go. The need to go be alone for a while to clear your mind. Cristina sings strongly that has this unbelievable emotion. The sounds become bigger, with a dramatic backing beat aiding these pianos. I just need to getaway| Take my hand no matter what they say| We are star crossed lovers, anyway| Let's go on our get away. The song breaks into a mournful chant of sadness. Following the chorus, the song does brighten up, as she opens up about being in love with someone who eventually has left her "Looking forward to seeing you later today| But I'll never see you again, no way, no way, this can't be happening to me" Cristina sings the final word in a massive long belt along with the chorus and dramatic backing beat with Cristina's vocals sounding more powerful then ever. She finishes off the song as the piano's slow down as she sings "Now I am strong| Couldn't give up| Wish you could go on my getaway, getaway| as the song comes to a scorching end.



8. Blood Beneath The Clouds
Right where 'Getaway' left off, Blood Beneath The Cloud picks up. The captivating cinematic nature of the album as a whole is yet again complimented with this track. The use of violins are again put the great use in this movie like tale as the the violin notes sway across the very beginning of the track which fits well as a continuation to Getaway but these violins lightly float across the track, even when Cristina brings her hearty voice to the song. Blood Beneath The Clouds unleashes a quite complicated message, in a track where she sounds sad, yet strong and much more confident then the track before, the dramatic beats pounding against the catchy beat, Cristina waits until the chorus to really unleash her vocal prowess "Every time I close my eyes| Seems like my blood is beneath the clouds.. a thousand miles| No one compares to him, I'm scared he won't be waiting for me when I make it to the other side| as she wails with this growling tingle to her vocals. The relentless and elegant pounding beat gyrates on. As the song goes on, you can hear Cristina sounding more confident with herself, as the second verse comes up, and it seems as if Cristina is more confident then the beginning of the song, blaring out "All my friends wonder, why I stay tied| Tell em' when you love someone it lives on as her intense vocals executes in the back ground in perfect range. She continues the second verse and effortless delivers the dramatic chorus and moves like a champion into the bridge that slightly picks up as the backing beat moves quicker as Cristina sings, with this now catchy pounding and beat as she sings "If I see you in my sleep| I don't want to wake up tonight|Blood Beneath The Clouds| There's no release| If I see you in my sleep| I don't want to wake up tonight|Blood Beneath The Clouds| There's no release as she belts out release for a long note that rides into the chorus until the end of the song.



9. Anger Is Of The Past
The next track, Anger Is Of The Past starts off with a subtle, gentle yet irregular beat with sleek progression with unusual chords ranking down on the track for about 30 seconds giving us an unusual yet very enjoyable instrumental and out of no where comes out Cristina. Her voice much more toned down, calm, and soft then on Troubled Spotlight, this track showing a vulnerable Lake as she goes on about being in a complete "anger, sometime in her life". Behind the backing beat Cristina sings with a wispy tone behind the already laid back manner of the track. The hypnotizing nature of the song is continued with handclaps, futuristic beats and large synths that glide in and out of the tune with Cristina singing along with it. Throughout the track Cristina let's go of old anger of her past as she let's go of all her fury and leaves it in the past behind a very relaxed yet unorthodoxed beat. Something that needs to stay in the past. The track acts as another page out of her vocal diary as she's giving forgiveness and finally letting go of her fury.

The bridge acts as another stand out point of the song, as Cristina voice gets distorted unusually and at first may seem weird but the sneering synths and the just now appearing pulsating bass shows up during the bridge out of no where as Cristina continues singing with a elegant sonic that blares throughout the bridge in this Indie/Experimental mixture... And instead of the bridge bringing us to the double chorus.. The bridge rides us out to the end of the song.


10. Before The War
After a swift turn in sound in 'Chasing The Renegades, the relaxing nature is carried on in Before The War. The relaxing nature is already felt with the light synths that begin the track, along with an artful siren that slowly horns across the track, with a experimental background. Cristina brings her vocals onto the track, almost sounding hypnotized as she relaxingly sings the beginning of the track, she continuously says |Before The War|Before The War|Before The War| the beats continue to move across the backing beat, but is now adorned with a pulsating beats as Cristina sings So warn me before the war|Before the war|We'll fight off our enemies together, together|Before The War|Before The War| Warn Me| Before The War. The beats continue to move along as for the ending of the track when the beat picks up quickly, the track harmonizes perfectly and still remains relaxing but very interesting to listen to with Cristina's echoes nature to her voice. The track ends off with slick key board notes that are pressed lightly with the beat as the song rides out into the end.






11. No Way Out
In this journey full of cinematic dramatics, chamber, beautiful vocals, and unorthodoxed lyrics. Cristina gets ready to end off 'Chasing The Renegades' with No Way Out. The song starts off with high pitched piano notes that are played by Cristina herself. The song sounds very quite as Cristina's powerful voice finds its way to its perfect home, on the track. "Sometimes I wish I could be set free| This thing called fame| It's such a shame| Killed my heart| Gives you a sickness so cold I'm afraid to say| Listen to these hearts yell out, crying to be saved| They wonder why I ran away, Lake sings those lyrics to the tee with these notes now sounding stronger then before, the beat then stops and starts back up seconds later with stronger piano notes, and clapping beats as Cristina continues to sing, the beat is then added with barely a backing beat at the instruments and Lake does the full talking in this track. She continues to sing, and the track then goes into another change as the piano continue to play, the clapping beats, but now with tenor drums joining the instrumental bliss with Cristina singing strongly, the beat then adds in a full backing beat adding in all the instruments that sound beautiful together as Cristina sings Think I'd let that defeat me?|This is part of this messed up fairy tale|This thing called fame| No Way Out of here| Let's make the best of this cold hard shame as she makes it obvious that she is clearly talking about her way of life, to make the best of what you have, no matter if its good or bad, make the beat of what you have and don't let it defeat you. In this very inspirational track, Cristina's vocals moves almost calming and very soothing to the ear, in this very relaxed last track of the album. The album continuously goes through these arty changes as the final track rides out ending off, Chasing The Renegades.









Cristina delivers her album following Nola, and this one each full of secrets and notes we never knew Cristina had in her head, from dreadfully depressing ballads to uptempo love songs, and experimental bliss. This album full of indie versatility hits stores this Friday! Is it worth a listen? What do you think? Leave a comment!