Twenty-five years ago, Christina Aguilera took the world by storm! In 2002, Aguilera came out with a deeply personal album, “Stripped” which forever changed the direction of Aguilera’s career. The goal of the album was to “strip” away from her sugary bubblegum image (think of songs from the first three years of her career like “Genie In A Bottle,” “What A Girl Wants,” “Come On Over (All I Want Is You),” “I Turn To You,” etc.). She wanted to take control of her image with this album, and she achieved this goal.The mature R&B/HipHop influenced album, the beats and the messages of these songs sound fresh all these years later. Christina explained in an interview with MTV Diaries in 2002 that she named the album “Stripped” because she wanted people to see her true self. I feel like the reason why this album is so ahead of its time is because it’s really So without further ado, let’s review the album!

Stripped Intro
This minute-long intro starts with an electronic futuristic sound effect alongside a bunch of soundbites from different news reporters and paparazzi talking about Christina. These soundbites include the alleged rivalry between her and Britney Spears, her controversial feud with rapper Eminem and with rapper Fred Durst (part Limp Bizkit). At the end of the soundbites, a man says that Christina should tell her side of the story, and she opens up by saying, “Allow me to introduce myself.” I think this is a great album opener! I love how she directly states all the misconceptions or all the narratives that the media tried to push on her, but she is saying that this is not a sugar-coated album and is telling us nothing but the truth. Her vocals are fabulous as always! The instrumentation is short, but it still has a lasting impression. (7/10)

2.Can’t Hold Us Down (feat. Lil’ Kim)
This song is the definition of female empowerment and is so ahead of its time. It’s super catchy and is a solid 2000s dance track. This song is allegedly about the feud between Christina Aguilera and Eminem. I think this song is so ahead of its time because the 2000s were known for the misogynistic and deep hatred towards women (coming from both men and even women). It was popular to slut-shame other women and to put each other down. I appreciate that the message comes across as natural as possible and doesn’t feel performative. My two criticisms of the song are that Lil’ Kim’s verse is not that strong, and often feels like it lacks emotion. Also, the instrumentation during the dance break changes, and at first it sounds jarring. But after a few listens, it grows on you. (8.7/10)

3. Walk Away
The song starts with Christina saying, “What do you do when you know something’s bad for you and you still can’t let go?” As much as I feel like everyone has asked themselves this question, I feel like it is unnecessary. Not every song needs a speaking part in the beginning. This song is the first ballad of the album. I like the soft piano instrumental that has a bit of a jazzy vibe to it. Her vocals which start soft but progressively get stronger throughout the song. The adlibs/background vocals are layered so perfectly together, it’s like melted butter. My favorite part of the song is the bridge. So much emotion packed in just that small section of the song. I can tell that this song is about a break-up; you can feel she is expressing her heartbreak through the song, and the wounds are fresh. A good track for those who are going through a breakup. (9/10)

4. Fighter
Fighter is such an iconic song! I love the aggressive, heavy-metal-influenced song. This is one of the strongest vocal performances that Christina has on this album. Christina’s messaging in the song is very powerful, and I feel like anyone can relate to this song. I love the soft beat in the beginning, and it gets progressively stronger. One of the best songs on the album. (10/10)

5. Primer Amor Interlude
I love the instrumentation of the guitar. It’s really beautiful to hear; however, since this is an interlude, it’s just a 53-second clip. She speaks in Spanish to transition into the next track. I don’t have much to say about this track because it’s not a full-length song, and it’s not something that I would listen to very often on its own. (5/10)

6. Infatuation
The transition from the interlude to this song is smooth. This is another one of my favorite songs from the album! I love how catchy and danceable the instrumentation is, and I love how upbeat this song is. This is a happier song, and I feel like this song explores confusion. The vocals are top tier as always. (11/10)

7. Love Embrace Interlude
There’s nothing to say about this track– just a snippet of Aguilera describing how she is afraid to fall in love. She doesn’t even really sing, and this interlude seems a bit shorter than the last interlude. The instrumentation is pretty, but doesn’t serve much. It’s a bit unnecessary to have a second interlude so quickly. (2/10)

8. Loving Me 4 Me
This is one of my least favorite songs on the album. It’s not something that I would listen to. It’s too slow for my taste and I feel like this song is just a bit bland for me. I’m not a fan of the adlibs, they feel unnecessary and misplaced. I do, however, like the bridge of the song; that’s when things get interesting, because there is a key change that makes this part of the song stand out. Her vocals are really pretty, different from her usual deeper more fuller range, but the layering on the vocals sounds very good. (3.5/10)

9. Impossible
This is definitely an upgrade from the last track. It has a nice melody and great piano instrumentation. I love the verses and the pre-chorus (in terms of lyrics and vocals, of course)! I think my favorite part of the song is the second verse of the song! (10/10)

10. Underappreciated
The beginning of the song has a cool instrumentation and a nice beat. The melody is so catchy, and the vocals are great as always! The rhythm is good as well. Except that the song’s lyrics are unclear. She sings about being underappreciated, but why? (5.5/10)

11. Beautiful
One of my top three favorite songs on the album! Not only is this song very iconic, alongside its controversial music video, but this song has helped so many people, including me! This is my go-to song if I’m going through a bad day. The messaging in this song is so powerful and is relatable to all! The lyrics are simple yet so… in lack of a better word, beautiful! When Christina whispers “don’t look at me” in the beginning, the soft, delicate piano intro plays (which is simply iconic, I mean, come on! I’m trying to learn this song on piano). Her vocals just sound so vulnerable and raw!
My favorite part of the song is the bridge/climax of the song. Her vocal runs are so pure. The instrumentation is just so exquisite. And the “controversial” music video was ahead of its time. Now you might be wondering, why was it “controversial”? They showed LGBTQ+ representation (which was uncommon back in the 2000s), a girl struggling with body image, and a kid getting beaten up by other children, which triggered some people because it was a bit bloody. However, I feel like this touched many people around the world, through its representation. (20/10)

12. Make Over
Ok, so this song is alright… I mean, it’s not the best song, but it’s also not the worst song on the album. The song has a pretty good instrumentation. It has a great beat, however, I think that the speaking part in the beginning was unnecessary. As mentioned earlier, some songs don’t need a speaking part. Her singing is ok, but the chorus doesn’t sound like she is singing. If anything, it sounds more like she is yelling. This is because Christina said that she wanted to sound angry and wanted this song to be an outlook on her emotions. Some of the lyrics are relatable to anyone who feels frustrated. However, even if I was frustrated, this wouldn’t be a song I would most likely listen to. I just don’t think about it much. (6.5/10)

13. Cruz
This is another favorite of the album! I love this song, and I mean I LOVE it! The vocals are amazing, the messaging is amazing, and the instrumentation is so powerful! Just love everything about this album! This song sounds so fresh all these years later. I just love how vulnerable she is on this track, and you can just tell from the vocals. They are so rich and beautiful. The message is all about leaving a situation that you feel stuck in for a long time and just finally experiencing freedom! I feel like this can be a relatable song for many. I find it relatable to me as well. The best part of the song is the bridge. I love the key change and the melody. Her vocals are at their peak during that part of the song. (14/10)

14. Soar
I don’t listen to this song very often, however, I love the vocals, melody, and the messaging. I like how it’s about not giving up, and sometimes you need to find your path by yourself. The possibilities are endless. My favorite part of the song is the bridge and the climax. She even sings whistle notes during the climax. The instrumental is very whimsical. I just love the piano in the beginning, and then you hear other instrumentals layered together so well that it blends. (9/10)

15. Get Mine, Get Yours
Get Mine, Get Yours is a cheeky song. I feel like this is the most timeless song of the album. It’s so catchy, upbeat, and the instrumentation is pure perfection. The vocals are the most simple compared to all the other songs, but it’s not flat or boring. This is one of my favorite songs off the album. I really like the transition at the end, I feel like the only thing I don’t like is the ad-libs during the song. They feel a bit unnecessary to hear and a bit uncomfortable to listen to. I like the end because the instrumentation gets softer at the end, and the transition just feels so smooth. I feel like if this song comes out today, then it would definitely be a hit and chart number one on the Billboard Top 100. (15/10)

16. Dirrty (feat. Redman)
Christina Aguilera’s very first single was to introduce us to the album. This song is pretty controversial for its time, alongside its music video. Based on the Redman song, “Let’s Get Dirty” (the instrumental is pretty similar), It’s a very aggressive, party song that will always get you up to dance! This new side of Christina shocked many around the world and even got banned in multiple countries! The instrumentation is larger than life, and I like the sound effects, like the glass shattering. Her vocals are raspier and stronger, and fit the mood of the song. (10.5/10)

17. Stripped Pt.2
This is just the continuation of the original intro. She addresses misconceptions about her image to the public. There’s not much to say about this. (1/10)

18. The Voice Within
This song is so touching! This is another personal song. It is a sad song, but also comforting. It feels like Christina is directly telling the viewer not to give up and to trust their gut. They are telling them that everything will be ok. Her lyrics are very wise, and her vocals are effortlessly stunning as always. The end of the song is a transition into another personal song. The music video is so simple, and it’s the final single of the album. (10/10)

19. I’m OK
The end of Voice Within transitions into this new track seamlessly. This is one of Christina Aguilera’s saddest songs in her whole career. This song is about the abuse she and her mother endured from her father. She sings that she is ok, but she isn’t. This is a beautiful heartfelt song; however, this is very dark and something I don’t listen to often, considering knowing the story behind the song. (8/10)

20. Keep on Singin’ My Song
This song is a pretty solid end to the album. The rhythm is really nice and subtle. Not really much to say about this song, but it’s pretty good. This song is just about her ignoring the hate she received at the time, and minding her own business. (6/10)

Top Favorites:
Beautiful
Get Mine, Get Yours
Infatuation
Cruz

Final Ranking:
Beautiful
Get Mine, Get Yours
Infatuation
Cruz
Dirrty (Feat. Redman)
Fighter
Can’t Hold Us Down (feat. Lil Kim)
The Voice Within
Walk Away
Impossible
Soar
Stripped Intro
I’m OK
Primer Amor Interlude
Make Over
Keep On Singing My Song
Underappreciated
Loving Me 4 Me
Stripped Pt.2
Love Embrace Interlude