When songs are larger than life

A befitting farewell to the departed

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings — Soul of a Woman (Daptone) 

The most distressing facet of Soul of a Woman, a posthumously released studio record by Sharon Jones and her integral partners Dap-Kings, is that she, despite ailing, sounds like she’s at her crest. Recorded during Jones’ protracted battle with cancer, the album is not only a bittersweet musical triumph, but also a fitting farewell to Jones’ illustrious career. All the 11 songs were recorded on an analog eight-track machine, and the classic gloss of tape shines brightest on Girl (You Got to Forgive Him). The opener, A Matter of Time, is a song about cultural unity that finds Jones belting high-energy soul burner as Binky Griptite’s jazzy guitar lines push the track into overdrive. The first side of the collection showcases Jones’ live performances, while the second side slows things down, exploring Jones’ skill to churn out pure emotion. Sail On! finds Jones consider paying back a former lover who didn’t help her when she needed it. Now he’s knocking at her door. “Tell me, tell me, where would we be?” she wonders. “Two people stranded without a helping hand.” Rumors is one of the most playful tunes Jones has ever cut. Blending brass with Latin accent, the track sums up the soul charge that has always been a Dap-Kings specialty. The album ends with Call on God, a gospel chorus in which Jones laments, “I’ve run out of words to sing.” It’s a perfect end to Soul of a Woman and a brilliant celebration of life. Ms Jones, rest well.

Essential tracks: A Matter of Time, Sail On!, Rumors, These Tears (No Longer for You), Call on God 

Rating ****

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Her most concise statement yet

Björk — Utopia (One Little Indian)

Icelandic singer/songwriter Björk is certainly one of the most distinctive musical artistes of our time, and her music catalogue may well be one of the most exciting you’ll ever find in the electronic music genre. Björk’s tenth studio album, Utopia, sees her venturing out from 2015’s heartbreaking masterpiece Vulnicura into a more positive self-created paradise. The opener, Arisen My Senses, works like a time-lapse setting, letting the mystical orchestra tune-in and warm up. The album declares its vivacity by way of striking bird sounds, which Björk sampled from field recordings of Venezuelan rituals. For Utopia, Björk has once again collaborated with electronic producer Arca and it is this relationship which helps Utopia find its ground. Courtship and Blissing Me play with the idea of modern romance, with funny yet shockingly evocative lyrics. New relationships form the basis of a remarkable sequence of songs at the centre of the album. In The Gate, she sings of how to give and receive love. Accompanied by heavy strings and ethereal flutes, Björk wanders to embrace new people and new relations. In Sue Me, she appears to address her ex, but is willing to forgive him. “He took it from his father who took it from his father who took it from his fathers,” she sings. Claimstaker is one of the album’s most enthralling moments wherein it replaces earthy woodwind tones with electronic beats.

Essential tracks: Arisen My Senses, Blissing Me, The Gate, Utopia

Rating ****

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A successful career reinvention

High Flying Noel Gallagher’s Birds — Who Built The Moon (Caroline)

Britpop sage Noel Gallagher hogs the spotlight again for the release of his latest solo effort Who Built the Moon. The record launches with Fort Knox, an atmospheric track full of supremacy and mystery, with features of gospel-like backing vocals and a steady ringing bell, to build up the platform and introduce another lead single Holy Mountain. The horn-centric track is the perfect way to kickstart the album with vocal melodies reminiscent of a Vaccines record. The larger-than-life sound radiates all the way up to the third track, Keep on Reaching. The brass arrangement allows the listener to experience a distant sounding percussion and vocals created to build the drama. It’s A Beautiful World shows the true marvel of the record as Noel blends electronica and rock together for a bewildering track. She Taught Me How to Fly feels more like a classic Gallagher song, writing about love, optimism and opportunities. Both Interlude and End Credits, subtitled Wednesday Part 1 and 2 respectively, offer more delicate, almost rustic instrumental breaks. Carrying a little 1960s inspired flavour, Black and White Sunshine feels more in tune with The Beatles era, with captivating melodies and polished tones. Be Careful What You Wish For has a frequent riff similar to Come Together, with Gallagher preaching his children not to fall for material success: “They let you see their riches/They never tell you what you’re worth.” The record is definitely worth trying.

Essential tracks: Keep on Reaching, It’s A Beautiful World, She Taught Me How To Fly, Be Careful What You Wish For

Rating ***

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Finding her voice

Charlotte Gainsbourg — Rest (Atlantic)

French-British singer and actress Charlotte Gainsbourg returns to music after nearly seven years from her last album, Stage Whisper. She is the daughter of British actress, singer/songwriter, and model Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg, French singer/songwriter and perhaps the best-known and most influential artiste in French popular music. Rest features a number of high-profile collaborations, with names ranging from cult favourites (Connan Mockasin, Owen Pallett) to chart-topping icons (Paul McCartney, Daft Punk). Homem-Cristo’s nursery rhyme influenced opener Ring-a-Ring O’Roses stylistically pays homage to Charlotte’s father Serge, without sounding repetitive, while McCartney’s Songbird In A Cage gives Gainsbourg a perfect soundtrack for her intense lyrics and vocals. Rest balances between solemn beauty and a mix of Euro disco, pop and funk, allowing Charlotte to cover a lot of emotional territory. The electronics completely take over Deadly Valentine. The ample deep bass funk on each verse makes it the most dance-focused music Gainsbourg has ever written. Changing languages between verses and chorus, the title track, produced by Daft Punk’s Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, is a soft lullaby with layers of despair. A concept album in a very broad sense, the songs work better as a collective than as individual tracks. Les Oxalis closes the record with Gainsbourg’s young daughter sweetly singing the alphabet. The pumping percussive beats and a dance-fused piano line blend disco and beautiful harmonies in the track tactfully. It’s an extremely personal album whose soft music arrangements create an intimate experience for the listener.

Essential tracks: Ring-a-Ring O’ Roses, Deadly Valentine, Songbird In A Cage, Les Oxalis

Rating **

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Top 10 Singles

Rockstar Post Malone feat. 21 Savage (NM)

Havana Camila Cabello feat. Young Thug (NM)

Perfect Ed Sheeran (CU)

Too Good At Goodbyes Sam Smith (CU)

Thunder Imagine Dragons (FD)

Bodak Yellow (Money Moves) Cardi B (FD)

No Limit G-Eazy feat. A$AP Rocky & Cardi B (CU)

Feel It Still Portugal. The Man (FD)

Sorry Not Sorry Demi Lovato (FD)

New Rules Dua Lipa (NE)

Legend: (CU): Climbing Up (FD): Falling Down    

(NM): Non-Mover (NE): New Entry