Album for our times
Jack White matches the world mood with a kaleidoscope of songs. There are also new offerings from Red Hot Chili Peppers and Wet Leg
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS — UNLIMITED LOVE
UNLIMITED Love pulls together the aggressive funk-metal of the Chilis’ earlier work with the more mellow and introspective feel of later offerings to create an album that is a celebration of the band’s immense talent and sounds. It is a bit long though.
The sprawling 17-track offering by the Los Angeles “hometown heroes” flows between rock tracks, bouncing grooves and slower, more melodic tracks, helmed by frontman Anthony Kiedis.
While it covers all bases, giving all four of the band’s members their time in the (Californian) sun, people looking for a particular new direction or sound may be disappointed.
One could argue that’s exactly what is needed from a 12th studio album, an appreciative look back at all the Red Hot magic in one place.
Opening track Black Summer kicks open the door with a bang, with wistful vocals from Kiedis and lilting riffs from John Frusciante, who makes a welcome return, before bursting into a thumping climax. An instant classic.
Aquatic Mouth Dance unleashes Flea and Smith, who delight in showcasing their unquestionable talents with bouncy bass riffs and drums, featuring a surprising but welcome brass section.
Other standout tracks include Not The One Poster Child, These Are The Ways, Veronica and Let ‘Em Cry.
7.5/10
(Review by Michael Bedigan)
WET LEG — WET LEG
WET leg is the electric eponymous debut album from Britain’s brightest indie rock duo. Few bands could dream of the
success of singer Rhian Teasdale and lead guitarist Hester Chambers’ first single Chaise Longue.
The single’s music video, consisting of the Isle of Wight born pair rocking out dressed like Jane Eyre extras garnered more than 3.5 million views on YouTube. The band’s funky second single Wet Dream is the album’s strongest song. Teasdale does her best Mick Jagger impression while drawing out more syllables from the words “Buffalo 66 on DVD” than previously thought humanly possible. Chambers also provides wry backing vocals to several songs on the album, adding a wry texture to simpler songs like Being in Love and Supermarket.
As a whole, the album is cohesive and confident — with other highlights including punky banger Angelica and the dreamy Too Late Now.
10/10
(Review by Luke O’Reilly)
CAMILA CABELLO — FAMILIA
CABELLO’S unique selling point is her ability to beautifully blend classic Latin music with the vulnerability of modern pop music, something that shines in her third effort Familia.
The 17-second title track is a trumpet intro that sets the scene for the album before blending into the chilled track of Celia. The standout of the album is Psycho Freak, which encapsulates the modern anxiety of “no WiFi” and pressures of Instagram, justifying why female pop is dominating the musical landscape right now.
Hawaiian vibes are felt from Bam Bam, accompanied by the acoustic guitar and guest vocals of Ed Sheeran.
At times the Latin aspects can becoming slightly overwhelming such as on La Buena Vida, which risks the instrumentation drowning out the vocals.
Diversity is offered through the distortion on Boys Don’t Cry and the slick bass on Hasta Los Dientes.
Lead single Don’t Go Yet is a catchy pop song with fast paced vocals, a claim supported by its excessive radio airplay, whereas the two final emotional tracks bring the album to a nice close.
Overall, Cabello’s talent is clear throughout the album though would be more prominent with less reliance on Latin influence.
5/10
(Review by Mason Oldridge)
JACK WHITE — FEAR OF THE DAWN
WITH war on TV screens and inflation sky high, sticking on a record armed with a dissonant assault feels appropriate.
And for those wanting a challenging kaleidoscope of songs to match the world mood, Jack White’s fourth solo offering delivers in spades.
Planned to be one of two albums the White Stripes founder will release in 2022, Fear Of The Dawn promises to be the more guitar orientated of the pair.
Yet opener Taking Me Back and the in-your-face title track sets the tone for what is, in the main, a heavily-produced electro-inspired attack on the senses.
White may have last year opened a shop dedicated to his Third Man Records in London’s Soho, an area drenched in British rock history, but his breakdown beat on The White Raven would not be out of place at a dubstep night at one of the capital’s DJ-worshiping clubs.
Hi De Ho and What’s The Trick borrow from hip-hop influences, with it not until the last quarter of the album that the vibe of his old band with ex-wife Meg creep to the fore, with Eosophobia (Reprise) a highlight for fans of the 46-year-old’s bluesy style.
There is no super anthem here in the mould of Seven Nation Army, but White has produced an album for our times — biting and confrontational.
6/10
(Review by Patrick Daly)