Lizzo – ‘Tempo’.
Lizzo’s long-awaited new album for Cuz I Love You just might be what the good doctor ordered this week. It’s a celebration of Lizzo’s eclectic strengths in everything from R&B and soul to pop and hip hop (trap). I must admit I’m new to Lizzo but I am already taken by her unapologetic aurora. If you want to get a feel for Cuz I Love You, maybe start with Tempo, which incidentally features Missy Elliot, then circle back to the title track and be ready for your mind to be blown by her amazing soulful voice.
Tim Baker – ‘All Hands’.
Tim Baker, the former frontman of the indie rock band Hey Rosetta, has released his solo debut album this week arguably to no one’s surprise. I don’t say that at all to be contemptuous in tone, it’s just that almost everybody sensed Baker wasn’t finished musically with the demise (on-hiatus) of Hey Rosetta. His wonderful debut Forever Overhead is a blend of piano ballads and folk-rock tracks that capture Baker at his creative best. Standouts include Dance, All Hands and Spirit.
Jade Bird – ‘I Get No Joy’.
Sometimes musicians procrastinate about releasing a debut album. They want to be sure they have created something that is worthwhile. Fair enough, right? I get that impression from Jade Bird who first found fame with her folk-tinged single Lottery, which I must confess is still a really cool song. Anyway, after releasing four or five new singles since 2018, Bird it seems finally found the right formula or set of songs that she hoped would win over critics and fans for her self-titled album. What I really like about Bird’s debut is how she combines her confessional-style songwriting with elements of folk, rock and pop. Already I am mesmerised by her anthemic I Get No Joy and Side Effects with its catchy hook and chorus. For someone still so young, she is already a very accomplished songwriter and musician. This is definitely, my pick for album of the week.
