Album Reviews: Everything But the Girl, RAYE, Shania Twain, Ella Mai

 

Fuse by Everything But the Girl

It's great when your favorite band puts out a new album after 24 years.  And it's even greater when it turns out to be a really good album.  I'm not that surprised since they have both continued to do solid solo work since EBTG stopped making music, but still you always wonder what it will be like when they come back together.  I found it to be a good blend of what they were doing before with what they have done since.  Lyrically of course they really hit some good marks but that is always expected.  Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt both have a way of looking at things I find smart and interesting and also very emotional.

If you are interested I would recommend the Twitter listening party.  It's fun and you get good insight into the songs.  It's a bit of a moody album so I would say give it a listen on a rainy day.  

Explicit

My 21st Century Blues by RAYE

An interesting album though a bit unnerving if you have a daughter and you think about her going out into the world to live her life.  Still I find her lyrical voice interesting and would say give it a try.  There are a number of these UK based female artists I have heard the last few years who carry a similar vibe and sound.  Definitely not a fun upbeat album, so maybe best to listen to when you have time to listen and think.  

Queen of Me by Shania Twain

Been six years since her last album and that one came after 15 years off.  Twain has always been on the edge country and pop and this album continues down that path.  She's country, she's rock, she's pop, she's all over the place.  I was never a big Shania Twain fan and this falls into the category for me of OK music.  If you like Twain then I would say give it a shot and see what you think.  

Heart On My Sleeve by Ella Mai

This album came out in 2022 but it fell on my radar this year when she released the deluxe edition.  This is her second album after her debut in 2018.  She was new to me when I listened to this album and I found it to be up and down.  When it clicks for me I like it, but there aren't any bad moments on the album.  I would say thought best to pull off the stuff you like for a dance mix or workout mix.