Album Review:
Blood by Lianne La Havas- Released Friday 31st
July 2015
Lianne La Havas released her debut album Is Your Love Big Enough? in 2012. The
album went into the top five, received critical acclaim and was nominated for
the Mercury Prize later that year. The twenty-five year old has released her
second album, but will it stand up to the success of the first?
Legendary music superstar Prince is a big fan of her work,
clearly hearing something special about her voice and noticing her star
quality. They performed together for American television on Saturday Night Live
in 2014.
Matt Hales who, under the name Aqualung, achieved top ten
success with Strange And Beautiful back in 2002, co-writes and produces many of
the tracks. He has also worked with established artists such as Leona Lewis and
Paloma Faith; he brings a wealth of experience. Lianne started her musical
career as a backing vocalist for Paloma; now life has come full circle.
The album’s main theme is one of personal identity and
discovering your true self.
On Green & Gold Lianne
explores taking a look at her life and how far she has come since childhood
with both refection and perception; an autobiographical coming of age song. What You Don’t Do has bouncy piano
chords, drum beats and lyrical optimism; it’s about appreciating a person for
who they are. The beautiful Tokyo
Blood is a very
cohesive and often consistent record; however it takes a few listens for the
songs to stay with you and for the lyrics to be fully appreciated. Lianne has
grown in strength vocally and the songs have more purpose and direction than
her previous album. Her honey-sweet yet well executed vocals make her one of
the best soul singers of her generation. Blood
has honesty in its veins, giving it life and pumping it right to its heart.
Key Tracks: Green & Gold, What You Don’t Do, Tokyo
7.5/10
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