l 1 Thursday, July 11, 2013 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Ciara finds her voice on fifth LP Thursday, July 11, 2013 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com 13 Former Borders Books building to welcome many new tenants Self-titled album finds R&B star at her shimmering best By KAYLA UPADHYAYA Managing Arts Editor For some reason, Ciara has never received .the commercial success her talent warrants - whether from mismanage- - ment, poor tim- ing, adverse pop 1"a trends or, most Ciara likely, all of the fucking above. Epic But through it all, Ciara's self-confidence has always been the cornerstone of her music. Clara's latest eponymous release - her most concise and coherent album to date - oozes with the confidence that has yielded some of her best work. A three-word review of Clara might look something like: "Needs. More. Ballads." "Body Party" - the best R&B slow-jam since Usher's "Climax" - is the obvious crowning jewel, and it's hard not to crave more of the trickling, electro-backed ballads we fell in love with back in 2006 when CiCi gave us "Promise." But still, it's hard to complain about an album so full of intoxi- cating spunk. CiCi's at her best when she's at her most self-pos- sessed, and on Clara, she knows exactly who she is. She occasionally shows her more tender side, as on the shimmering lead single "Body Party." Other tracks explode with her ferocity, and sometimes both sides collide. On the super-layered "Super Turnt Up," synths trill and steely beats pound, and Ciara throws smooth, swaying vocals on top of it all, only to transition three minutes in to a snarling rap that'll have you gettingyour stank face on. Ciara's self-assurance gives way to girl-power anthems, like in the male-gaze rejection "Keep On Lookin"' or "Read My Lips," a buoyant summer jam entirely dedicated entirely to cunnilingus (!!!). CiCi enters full HBIC-mode on the swagger-filled revenge ode Several restaurants to occupy vacated Liberty St. corner By WILL GREENBERG Daily StaffReporter Though the building that housed Borders Books on East Liberty Street now features boarded-up windows and ongoing construction, the space will soon be home to several new restaurants and offices. Five new restaurants will move into the first floor, while Prime Research and the University's School of Information will occupy the second floor. The 44,000 square-foot building is currently undergoing extensive interior and exterior renovations to accommodate the new tenants, including the addition of an entrance on Maynard Street and walls to divide the newbusinesses. Brendan Cavender of Colliers International - the company representing the building owner - said construction would be completed in time for tenants to move in September. 5,296 square-feet of the property have been leased to Takashi Yagihashi, a chef who fuses Japanese and French cuisine and has owned and run multiple restaurants across the country. Yagihashi, who spent nine years in Ann Arbor, will open another location of the Slurping Turtle, a sit-down ramen restaurantbased in Chicago. Joining the Slurping Turtle will be Knight's Steakhouse, which is opening its second Ann Arbor location. Owner and manager Don Knight said he looks forward to sharing the space with Yagihashi and other restaurants within the complex. "(It's) a win-win for both of us," he said. "Think of the car industry: they put everything right next to each other and people tend to flock to places where there's more options." The last three restaurants that will join Knight's Steakhouse and the Slurping Turtle have yet to be named. Prime Research, a strategic communication research firm, will take 20,000 square-feet on the second floor. Cavender said the area has become a popular location for technology companies as they are able to find a large pool of young talentcomingoutof the University. Despite Prime Research predominantly operating remotely through the Internet and news, Julie Beach, senior accounting and human resources manager, said Ann Arbor was chosen as a strategic location for the business. "Here at Prime Research, having a good education is important and so. obviously having our business in a town that is located nearby the University of Michigan was one of the big pushes for us to originally choose Ann Arbor for our North American operation," Beach said. East Liberty Street has seen 10 businesses close in the last two years, raising the question of the viability of openingabusiness there. Cavender said he is not worried about these new businesses seeing success, as many of the recent closures were due to factors besides location. "We track volumes of sales figures of all the other restaurants down there and all of them are very healthy," Cavender said. "It was easx to blame Borders when they closed for the decline but in my opinion that's not what closed these otherbusinesses." Don Knight said he was enthusiastic about the location, as the area has been making a come back. "More people are getting up there," Knight said. "They don't just stick to Main Street anymore." Do Your Yoga with a rope! build $70 $70STR ENGT H ,E 30 days unlimited release classes stress russayog.com Jn 215 s. state ann arbo t\ f r "I'm Out," which thumps with her signature brand of feisty female empowerment. The track features a thrilling, punchy verse from Nicki Minaj. Say what you will about her own music, but Minaj's dynamic guest spots often have the power to make a song some- times even to steal it. Her techni- cally tantalizing rapping perfectly complements CiCi's sexy bangers. But it's the second Minaj- backed track "Livin' It Up" that offers the album's emotional Goodies. highlight, as Nicki spends half her verse praising her partner in a moment of sisterly solidarity: "I told CiCi I was getting her / I told the bitches can't see her, no retina / I told her if you go in there's no letting up / See they could kick you while you're down but you're getting up." EPIC "Cause this one is for the girls making progress," Nicki spits. Ciara undeniably'fits under this category, with her latest release asserting more than ever she doesn't need to stand on anyone else's shoulders. From the self title to the unwavering lyrics, she has her voice figured out. i i i i rw ir i i ii I.UBOJO WMO H0-- SWUMBO. YOU WUMBO. HE, SHE, WE WUMBO. DAILY ARTS WUMBOES. SHOUTOUT PATRICK STAR. a Joseph Haydn's CREATI ON July 23, 2013 Hill Auditorium Blue Lake International Choir Alumni Choir and Youth Symphony Mon, July 22 Wed, July 23 Blue Lake International Blue Lake International Choir' Youth Symphony Blue Lake International Beethoven No. 5 Jazz Orchestra All Concerts Begin at 7:30 p.m. More information at bluelake.org/ebl Email arts@michigandaily.com to learn more.