SOUND JUDGEMENT

The latest album releases reviewed

DON’T FORGET ME Maggie Rogers ★★★☆☆

Singer-songwriter

Maggie Rogers trades in her heavier, electronic sound for a more relaxed third release, written in just five days.

Rogers succeeds in her goal of creating an album that suits a “Sunday afternoon”.

Acoustic guitar takes centre stage for dreamy songs, with piano ballad I Still Do a highlight.

Elsewhere, Never Going Home gives off country vibes and lead single Don’t Forget Me ends things on a high.

Rogers continues to demonstrate versatility, though fans of her heavier offerings may feel shortchanged.

Review by Mason Oldridge

20TH ANNIVERSARY OF LIFE BLOOD

Manic Street Preachers ★★★★☆ It’s hard to believe this album was once panned by the Manics themselves.

Their seventh LP remains their least commercially successful, but gets plenty of love here with remasters, B-sides, demos, remixes and live tracks.

Nostalgic opener 1985, is now a fan favourite, while Emily (about suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst) strays stylishly from their punk roots.

With 46 songs and a threehour running time it’s for completists, but highlights an album that has risen in stature.

BACK TO BLACK: SONGS FROM THE ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE

Various Artists

Odd choices make this release feel a little tacky.

There is some great R&B here, yet for an album supposedly highlighting Winehouse and her influences, it often ignores songs cited as inspiration by the singer in favour of ones that narrate her tragic tale.

For example The Shangri-Las’ Remember (Walking In The Sand), whose hook was lifted for Back To Black, is absent. Their hit The Leader Of The Pack (about the tragic consequences of dating a “bad boy”) is preferred, while Nick Cave’s overwrought tribute Song For Amy does little to help.