Turn It Up

CeCe Peniston Back To ‘Celebrate’

March 30, 2012 1 Comment

Robin S isn’t the only ’90s dance-pop diva serving up something new in 2012.

This week, CeCe Peniston released “Celebrate,” a new single from her forthcoming studio album, CeCe. Over 15 years have passed since her last solo effort, 1996’s I’m Movin’ On, but like that album title presciently suggested, she kept her head forward and never slowed down. Peniston performed around the world, guested on others’ tracks, and recently began focusing on her own solo material again.

Last year, Peniston issued “Stoopid,” an R&B-inflected pop single she co-wrote, and also revisited “Finally,” the 1991 dance classic that sent her career into the stratosphere. She re-recorded “Finally” with Joyriders for its 20th anniversary and issued new remixes on Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto label.

“Stoopid” had a snappy, sassy vibe that showed off a different side of Peniston (think 21st century TLC). But with dance still dominating pop music — a mix that served her so well in the past — Peniston returns to familiar territory on “Celebrate.” Lyrically, the song doesn’t move the needle much — we’re raising glasses and partying ’til the world ends again — and the radio-ready synth sound would no doubt have Benny Benassi beaming.

I’m holding out for much better from CeCe, but Peniston’s return is definitely worth toasting.

Maybe all the promotion behind “Celebrate” will give Peniston an opportunity to bring “Stoopid” back, with some solid remixes to boot. Regardless, another pop artist would be wise to record the track. “Stoopid” is a hit in waiting.

Purchase CeCe Peniston – “Celebrate” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.