SOUND NT JUDGEME

THE LATEST ALBUM RELEASES RATED AND REVIEWED

POSITIONS ARIANA GRANDE

★★★

ON 2018’s Sweetener, Ariana Grande came back from the tragedy of the terrorist attack on her Manchester Arena concert, while 2019 saw her turn the page on her short-lived engagement to comedian Pete Davidson with Thank U, Next.

Perhaps it was to be expected that the 27-year-old’s next record would eschew real-life drama in favour of fantasy and fun. Positions is both.

Love and lust are front and centre on these 14 snappy tracks, which focus almost entirely on her romantic life with boyfriend Dalton Gomez, a high-end Los Angeles real estate agent. Grande has found a groove in vibesy R&B and impressive vocal runs and for the most part sticks to the formula. Positions may not match up to the heights of her recent work but that’s fine – perhaps this is the album she needed to make.

LOVE GOES SAM SMITH

★★★

INITIALLY titled To Die For and due for release in June, this record was delayed and retitled in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

This cautious approach is reflected in the music. Smith does push beyond the narrow parameters of their previous two records, but there is little resembling a left-turn here.

Their heartbreak from the end of a relationship with actor Brandon Flynn permeates the music, but is contrasted with a sense of personal freedom. Dance (‘Til You Love Someone Else) promises fire, with a bubbling synth line and satisfyingly deep kick drum. It is perhaps the only song that effectively combines Smith’s gloom with euphoria.

BLESSINGS ALED JONES

★★★★ IF YOU’RE in need of some subtle, soothing listening then Blessings, Aled Jones’ 40th album, delivers.

Featuring contributions from Dame Judi Dench, Susan Boyle, Sami Yusuf, Brian Blessed and more, it covers a number of faiths and beliefs, explored and represented through music.

Silent Night, which features Blessed’s voice, is the perfect segue into the festive season.