A gorgeously original fourth LP by the English singer-songwriter whose voice has power, presence and intimacy and whose unique sound blends soul, pop, jazz, funk, electronica, clever samples, and a dash of bossa nova. This mix of styles feels coherent rather than confused, such is the commanding confidence and control in Lowe’s voice, subtly building with beautiful harmonies and intricacies of orchestration and oddball sounds, and that eclectic quality perhaps comes from the album being recorded on a mobile setup that variously travelled via Berlin and Barcelona. Now firmly at home small label away from a past contract with Universal, there seems a confidence and freedom to experiment. Opener Sundown opens with a warm, nostalgic sound before the languorously lovely single Mood To Make Love, which captures themes of self-doubt and self-assurance with gentle crackling backing track and simple riff below her shimmering vocal which transports to a gorgeously dreaminess of mind. In My Head with its catchy drum beat, skips along with a soulful style and an echo of the classy Joan As Policewoman. Bezerk is a oddball but mesmeric harmonised number with low-key echoes of 80s Prince (“when life gives you lemons you make lemonade”), and at other parts of the album there’s the feel of contemporary artist Nick Hakim’s gentle funk and soul. Gratitudes is the minimalistic bossa nova song, with a simple, spongey bass line above which comes delicious vocal melody. Later on Don’t Go is another standout with a beautifully strange harmonised a cappella with pitch shifts. Sundown Reprise, linked to opening track, feels like an old spiritual, and is moving tribute to a friend who killed himself. Rich, warm, intimate, and evocatively original and a love letter to all sorts of styles. Out on Blue Flowers Music.
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