SOUND JUDGEMENT

THE LATEST ALBUM RELEASES RATED AND REVIEWED

CAT POWER – WANDERER

★★★★★ THIS cat bites. On her 10th album as Cat Power, iconoclastic American artist Chan Marshall takes aim at targets of her wrath and annihilates with a succession of devastating lyrical lacerations. From the short, folky, a cappella title track, until the record wraps with a string-accompanied reprise, Marshall casts a scornful eye across America.

Lead single, Woman, is anthemic, sinewy and forthright. Lana Del Rey, a long-time admirer, joins Marshall on vocals, the pair combining for a hallelujah to femininity. Marshall covers Rihanna’s Stay, her smoky, soulful voice adding a tender timbre.

Black is perhaps Marshall’s #MeToo moment, a withering takedown of entitled men. A strident, darkly majestic work.

KATIE MELUA – ULTIMATE COLLECTION

★★★★★ KATIE Melua, the Georgian-British singer-songwriter and musician – whose otherworldly voice can inexplicably make you weep and feel pure elation at the same time – has possibly bested her previous efforts with a beautiful rendition of Shirley Bassey’s Diamonds Are Forever. Cloaked in her trademark subtlety, it is one of two fresh tracks on her new greatest hits offering, Ultimate Collection.

Melua is one of the most talented musicians of her generation. You either already admire her music’s mesmerising beauty and simplicity, or you don’t know her at all. If the latter is true, this is the perfect way to educate yourself.

KT TUNSTALL – WAX

★★★★ KT TUNSTALL rocks! Wax has powerful electric guitars to the fore, including from former Ash axe-slinger Charlotte Hatherley.

Opener Little Red Thread’s staccato riff sets the tone before she embraces her sexy side on Human Being and The River.

The album hits its stride midway through, with The Healer (Redux), the heaviest song, followed by possibly the best, Dark Side Of Me.

Then the emotional, but more musically understated, closing pair of The Night That Bowie Died and Tiny Love, provide a strong finish.