SOUND NT JUDGEME

THE LATEST ALBUM RELEASES RATED AND REVIEWED

CHVRCHES – LOVE IS

IT must be hard to make a record that’s resolutely pop, yet speaks to 2018. Moving to New York and welcoming outside producers for the first time hasn’t changed Chvrches’ work substantially, but has resulted in an album whose highlights are by turns vulnerable and militant.

My Enemy, a two-hander with The National’s Matt Berninger, is gracefully laced with ennui, and Deliverance scores Madonna points with its devotional language and 1980s chords – but affecting miniature Really Gone, is stunning.

Its tranquillity and emotional directness are a great gambit by Lauren Mayberry, and show up the chart-bothering anthems around it.

SNOW PATROL – WILDNESS HH

IT has been eight years since Snow Patrol released Fallen Empires. Wildness sees the band partner with producer Jacknife Lee as they appear on the surface to come to terms with the rapid growth that they saw back in 2006.

On first listening it feels like Snow Patrol have tried to step back to the early years, when they had a bit more grit about their records. Light On Earth is the perfect opener.

Empress has the words to uplift and Heal Me is one of their strongest anthems to date. But if you are a steadfast fan of their emotional rock, What If This Is All The Love You Ever Get? is the track for you.

If you were hoping for a new direction you won’t find it, but there are glimpses of a fresher sound.

JOE BONAMASSA – BRITISH BLUES EXPLOSION LIVE

THE American guitarist pays homage to the music that inspired him to take up an axe in the first place. The first disc of the double CD edition shows exactly what is to follow by kicking off with Beck’s Bolero/Rice Pudding.

As this is a live album, the songs are frequently extended jams. The shades of Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page are much to the fore.

This album takes the originals and makes them fresh again whilst having a blast at the same time.