While Ciara has yet to unleash her true masterpiece, an effort as consistent as ‘Beauty Marks’ hints that she is closer to doing just that with her next project.
Read moreThe Cranberries Bid Farewell with Grace & Gravitas on ‘In The End’ | Album Review
O’Riordan’s haunting tones and presence enthrall on the record’s ten tracks which detail the troubled and joyful intricacies of everyday life and love.
Read moreBananarama Reclaim Their Enduring Class Act Status with Incandescent ‘In Stereo’ | Album Review
As original rule breakers, Bananarama have nothing left to prove. That they can produce a record of such quality and care is in and of itself a laudable, if not surprising feat.
Read moreEmma Bunton Returns in Reverent & Ravishing Form with ‘My Happy Place’ | Album Review
‘My Happy Place’ sources its infectious feel-good spirit from Bunton’s own enthusiasm that is readily expressed in the content of the album.
Read moreSophie Ellis-Bextor Takes Two Decades of Tunes For A Symphonic Spin on ‘The Song Diaries’ | Album Review
‘The Song Diaries’ charts Ellis-Bextor’s journey from frontwoman for theaudience to an engaging solo entity through seventeen reimagined tracks—nineteen on the vinyl pressing.
Read moreDido’s Distinctive Pop Pulse Radiates on Stirring ‘Still On My Mind’ | Album Review
The vocal, lyrical and arrangement levels all function superbly throughout the runtime of ‘Still On My Mind,’ which makes for an absorbing listen.
Read moreChaka Khan Returns in Resplendent Form with ‘Hello Happiness’ | Album Review
Emboldened by her latest sonic surroundings, Khan’s passion is eloquently communicated, but with an edge that recalls the innovative peaks of ‘Chaka Khan’ (1982) and ‘I Feel for You’ (1984).
Read moreMonarchy Reaffirm Their Place Atop the Dance-Pop Hierarchy with Masterful ‘Mid:Night’ | Album Review
With their third studio album, Monarchy hold fast to their ability to needle at any and all sonic boundaries, a constant demonstration of a limitless artistic drive.
Read moreMariah Carey Reveals a Renewed Sense of Artistic Purpose with ‘Caution’ | Album Review
A few forgivable missteps aside, Carey’s fifteenth studio affair still casts a wicked spell as a modern R&B record emboldened with intent.
Read moreEschewing Nostalgia for Timelessness, Boy George & Culture Club’s ‘Life’ Is An Unequivocal Triumph | Album Review
The trim, eleven-track ‘Life’ is breathtakingly accomplished and engaging, with the group’s signature sonics and fresh aural flavors in abundance throughout the entire affair.
Read moreAfter 18-Year Hiatus, Dubstar Resurface in Radiant Form with ‘One’ | Album Review
As if by magic, Dubstar’s long awaited fourth record has now manifested on the boutique imprint Northern Writes to stun loyal fans, surprise cynical critics and woo the uninitiated.
Read moreKT Tunstall’s Musical Versatility and Vitality Burn Bright on ‘WAX’ | Album Review
Where 2016’s ‘KIN’ embodied the theme of “soul” as the first entry in a planned album trilogy, Tunstall’s recently released sixth LP ‘WAX’ acts as the ambassador for “body.”
Read moreBright Light Bright Light’s ‘Tough Love’ Points to the Future While Evoking Electro-Pop’s Past | EP Review
Rod Thomas’ unabashed embrace of timeless songcraft in a period of soulless track building via ‘Tough Love’ may possibly let him finally extend his reach even further.
Read moreMacy Gray’s Radiant ‘Ruby’ Solidifies Her Staying Power & Musical Magnetism | Album Review
Gray’s tenth LP reinforces the continued application of her wholly distinctive abilities as a writer, vocalist and collaborator which has made her sui generis in modern R&B.
Read moreBananarama Recapture Their Musical Magic with ‘Live at the London Eventim Hammersmith Apollo’ | Album Review
Available in a variety of formats, Bananarama’s ‘Live at the London Eventim Hammersmith Apollo’ finds the trio in fine and fighting form throughout its run time.
Read moreSwing Out Sister Expand Their Brand of Exquisitely Crafted Pop with ‘Almost Persuaded’ | Album Review
From ambitious big band aspirations to hip-hop inclinations, ‘Almost Persuaded’ arms itself with arresting organic and inorganic pop sonics.
Read moreLisa Stansfield’s Dazzling ‘Deeper’ Extends the Dynamism of Her Discography to Date | Album Review
Stansfield’s excellent eighth studio album proves that she continues to stand tall as one of the preeminent and most compelling talents of her era.
Read moreKylie Minogue Embraces Artistic Growth with Glorious ‘Golden’ | Album Review
For the first time in a long time, here is a Kylie Minogue album that wears its art—and heart—on its sleeve publicly and is the better for it.
Read moreTracey Thorn Delivers Masterclass with Salient, Stunning ‘Record’ | Album Review
Driving the songs is Thorn's voice, a vital ingredient that hasn't dulled, its warmth and character as divine as ever.
Read moreThe Corrs Achieve Career Peak on Fluid, Breathtaking ‘Jupiter Calling’ | Album Review
Supported by T Bone Burnett, the group’s distinctive blend of classic Irish aesthetics and modern pop/rock touches is at its most natural and relaxed here.
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