Singer-Songwriter Katie Melua is back with new record, Album No.8. After the soaring success from previous releases, this time she treats us to more beautifully composed tracks that showcase her talent amongst delicately balanced production and a keen ear for melody and structure.
Katie has no problem showing off her vocal capabilities and her soothing tone has you keeping her music on repeat. As well as her usual acoustic sound to accompany this, in Album No.8 we are given some pleasant jazzy undertones on A Love Like That and Voices In The Night, as well as gorgeous orchestral sections which appear on tracks such as Heading Home, bringing them to life as we delve deeper into Melua’s personal life.
Of course, this album isn’t a pity show, as we are taken on the journey that is Katie Melua’s love life (or as some tracks express, like Your Longing Is Gone, her previous love life). The beauty that is found in nature is used as a metaphor for the growth and the love that she has experienced within her lifetime. Remind Me To Forget showcases this and is an incredibly unique way to express her inner thoughts and emotions, something completely different which allows Katie to stand out from most stars of today.
English Manner is the second-longest track on the album timing at 4 and a half minutes. With three different sounds on the track, they all manage to transition perfectly and cause several movie-like moments where we are taken into our own thoughts and forced to explore our own memories. At first, it starts with a little country manner, suiting the title as many people associate England with the countryside. We then get to pleasantly experience the pretty piano part exaggerating her vulnerability which is soon then joined by the string sections, suggesting hope and a happy ending. This song is truly beautiful and the arrangement of instrumentations is so expertly done that without any words, we are still affected by her story.
This album is a self-written story showing the beauty that can be discovered in imperfect scenarios. The songwriting, arrangement, performance, and production of this album are close to perfect and once again Katie Melua has managed to bring to life another top album suitable for everyone.
Score: 4/5
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