The first record in five years for the British singer-songwriter and producer is a concept album depicting the stages of a relationship, from early romance to demise.
The first record in five years for the British singer-songwriter and producer is a concept album depicting the stages of a relationship, from early romance to demise.
7.3
Lianne La Havas
Lianne La Havas
Artist Origin: 🇬🇧
Release Date: 17 July 2019
Label: Warner / Nonesuch
Genres: Soul / R&B
Prosecutor: Dan
La Havas’ lush, captivating vocals steal the show on this well-crafted, soul-tinged record. Slick R&B groves and skilful plucked guitar melodies provide the backdrop to lyrics centred around love, loss and heartbreak. The opening keys on 1st track Bittersweet pulled me straight in and I was blown away by the brilliant, booming vocals of the chorus. There’s a meandering feel to some songs (Paper Thin, Courage), but the clever instrumentation and La Havas’ vocal dexterity keep things on track and engaging. The soul tinged cover of Weird Fishes slots in neatly mid-album. Enjoyed the slower arrangement of the originals distinctive drum pattern. - By the end it felt like her own song. Overall, an enjoyable listen. 7.7
Adam
This album starts with a great song in the form of Bittersweet, La Havas’ vocals smokey and understated building to a powerful roar on the chorus. This is the highlight of the album. The rest of the album is full of soulful tracks but for me never reaches the heights of the first song. This lady could sing the phonebook (are they still a thing?) and make it sound great. Tasting notes: smokey, hints of hurt and optimism intertwined. 7.2
Rich
Fresh from his recent proposal, it only seemed right that D should mark his engagement with a second successive break-up album, this time Lianne La Havas. I’ve usually a short leash for British soul singers. In my experience, they're often guilty of recycling the same old genre tropes (the over-zealous vocals, the cliched backing music, the brassy attitude). Thankfully, there was no evidence of that from Lianne. Instead, she displays a lot of honesty - a vulnerability, even. Her songwriting contains a real candor and her vocals swoop as much as they soar creating a lush balance throughout. There's a nuance to the music too, it's almost folky in places. Really enjoyed the delicate guitar work on tracks like Read My Mind and Can't Fight, and how she gave space to some of her songs more subtle textures (I'm thinking: Weird Fishes). Those harmonies too (particularly on the interlude)! I La Hava lot of time for this record. 7.9
Phil
A very high marker set from the off with an ode to COVID (no more hangin around) and like the virus Lianne later threatens to hit her first wave peak but doesn’t quite manage it. A courageous attempt to make Weird Fishes her own fails to live up to the original (I prefer their version...), unlike covid I hope there’s plenty more to come from this lady in the future, what a voice. 7.0
Mike
What comes to mind when you hear the names Ken Bruce and Steve Wright? That's right it's Radio 2. This album can also be filled under the title Radio 2. Not to say there is anything wrong with that. This album is pleasant and ambling, file under easy Sunday listening. La Havas has a wonderful husky voice and clear songwriting chops. The album seems to be about a broken relationship and is filled with anguish and regret. It is a confident if unspectacular album. 6.7
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La Havas’ lush, captivating vocals steal the show on this well-crafted, soul-tinged record. Slick R&B groves and skilful plucked guitar melodies provide the backdrop to lyrics centred around love, loss and heartbreak. The opening keys on 1st track Bittersweet pulled me straight in and I was blown away by the brilliant, booming vocals of the chorus. There’s a meandering feel to some songs (Paper Thin, Courage), but the clever instrumentation and La Havas’ vocal dexterity keep things on track and engaging. The soul tinged cover of Weird Fishes slots in neatly mid-album. Enjoyed the slower arrangement of the originals distinctive drum pattern. - By the end it felt like her own song. Overall, an enjoyable listen. 7.7
Adam
This album starts with a great song in the form of Bittersweet, La Havas’ vocals smokey and understated building to a powerful roar on the chorus. This is the highlight of the album. The rest of the album is full of soulful tracks but for me never reaches the heights of the first song. This lady could sing the phonebook (are they still a thing?) and make it sound great. Tasting notes: smokey, hints of hurt and optimism intertwined. 7.2
Rich
Fresh from his recent proposal, it only seemed right that D should mark his engagement with a second successive break-up album, this time Lianne La Havas. I’ve usually a short leash for British soul singers. In my experience, they're often guilty of recycling the same old genre tropes (the over-zealous vocals, the cliched backing music, the brassy attitude). Thankfully, there was no evidence of that from Lianne. Instead, she displays a lot of honesty - a vulnerability, even. Her songwriting contains a real candor and her vocals swoop as much as they soar creating a lush balance throughout. There's a nuance to the music too, it's almost folky in places. Really enjoyed the delicate guitar work on tracks like Read My Mind and Can't Fight, and how she gave space to some of her songs more subtle textures (I'm thinking: Weird Fishes). Those harmonies too (particularly on the interlude)! I La Hava lot of time for this record. 7.9
Phil
A very high marker set from the off with an ode to COVID (no more hangin around) and like the virus Lianne later threatens to hit her first wave peak but doesn’t quite manage it. A courageous attempt to make Weird Fishes her own fails to live up to the original (I prefer their version...), unlike covid I hope there’s plenty more to come from this lady in the future, what a voice. 7.0
Mike
What comes to mind when you hear the names Ken Bruce and Steve Wright? That's right it's Radio 2. This album can also be filled under the title Radio 2. Not to say there is anything wrong with that. This album is pleasant and ambling, file under easy Sunday listening. La Havas has a wonderful husky voice and clear songwriting chops. The album seems to be about a broken relationship and is filled with anguish and regret. It is a confident if unspectacular album. 6.7
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