SOUND JUDGEMENT

The latest album releases reviewed

MIDNIGHTS Taylor Swift ★★★★✩

Country queen and pop princess

Taylor Swift has got bassier, more explicit and craftier on her latest album – and it is worthy of the astronomical hype. Midnights is surprising, comfortable and invigorating in equal measure.

Songs including Lavender Haze, Maroon, and You’re On Your Own, Kid are sure to stoke the fires of many online fan theories about Swift and her personal life. Despite some uneven tracks, such as her joint effort with Lana Del Rey – Snow On The Beach, the record manages to immerse the listener in brilliant songwriting and a mature sound.

This record is self-aware, selfdeprecating and offers honest insight into Swift’s experiences.

RED (35TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION) The Communards ★★★★✩

The re-release of the second and final album by Jimmy Somerville and Richard Coles offers a chance to reflect on their legacy as The Communards.

What was seen by many simply as a pop release now reveals itself as a complex and layered album full of political statement and raw emotion.

As well as the political side, there are the pop tunes many will remember fondly, like There’s More To Love (Than Boy Meets Girl). And if you want to revel further in the glorious synths the second disc has remixes including a driving 10-minute version of Never Can Say Goodbye from The 2 Bears.

HEART AND SOUL Blue ★★★✩✩

Simon Webbe,

Duncan James,

Antony Costa and Lee Ryan’s sixth album retains the same catchy tunes and positive vibe which made Blue so popular in the early 2000s.

Their mix of soul and pop won’t appeal to everyone but their mature voices sound great and there are some fabulous tunes, including the rousing opener Haven’t Found You Yet, romantic This Could Be Love and lively title track.

There are a few cheesy lyrics but maybe that shows Blue don’t take themselves too seriously and are enjoying life.