The Juicy Pear The latest fresh (and rotten) album releases, reviewed by: Katie – middle-aged mum. Max – grumpy old man. Tanya – Reggae and R&B fan. Luke – Classical music fan.
David Bowie The Next Day (Columbia)
Emilia Mitiku I Belong To You (WM UK)
The juice: After a ten year silence, pop’s master of reinvention emerges from his musical wardrobe with a varied new set and a fresh sense of purpose.
The juice: Swedish popsoul singer’s 5th album mixes old and some new, with a soft, sunny, jazzy style predominating.
Flavours: Chameleon.
Flavours: Nina Simone, Dolly Parton.
Max: I tried to listen to this as if the past 40 years of (mainly) brilliant music by Bowie had never happened. It starts off with the rip-roaring The Next Day, and swaggers on, progressing through different styles, from the brilliant chaos of ‘If You Can See Me’ to the heartrending honesty of a man grown old in ‘Where Are We Now?’ It’s an album full of surprises, artistry and love. Compared to other new releases? - Awesome. (5/5)
Max: This is retro, up-beat and... the sort of music my parents used to listen to. The voice is warm and strong, hints of Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Doris Day. This mix of elegant old classics and new compositions wouldn’t be out of place in 50’s Vegas with Old Blue Eyes singing them. Nothing will blow you away, but it’s like the Sunday lunch from my childhood - familar, but no less deliciously satisfying for that. (4/5)
Luke: Growing up, I wasn’t really into David Bowie, and thought this might be a bit of clinging on to history. But I loved it. Favourite is the title track, with its various depths of sound. ‘Valentine’s Day’ is also a brilliant rocker - it sounds like he really enjoyed singing that one. David still has something to say, and it’s worth listening to. (4.5/5)
Katie: Bizarre in places, particularly Zou Bisou Bisou, on one track I am thinking female Michael Bublé, the next Sinatra, followed by a smidgin of Ms Dolly Parton. This a really pleasant and totally unexpected surprise. My favorite is the title track. (5/5)
Katie: There is an amazing vitality to this record, from the shuddering ‘If You Can See Me’ through to the disco rockabilly of ‘Dancing Out In Space’. Fave tracks ‘The Next Day’ and ‘Valentine’s Day’ are upbeat Bowie at his best, but the whole album is great. (5/5) Pip of the Pops (14.5/15)
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Tanya: I love this amazing album, Emilia sounds like a wonderfully vintage mix of early Dolly Parton and Nina Simone. I will have this album on repeat all summer and if the weather is pants it will make me feel carefree and happy anyway. I really love her rendition of ‘Dream a Little Dream’. (5/5)
Pulp of the Pops: (14/15)
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