Michelle Branch — Hotel Paper
Saurav & Gaurav

WHAT makes Michelle different from so many other female singers in the music market is the approach to her work that speaks for itself rather than relying on next-to-nothing clothing. The first single Are You Happy Now? begins the album extremely promisingly. The album maintains the high level of songwriting that Michelle achieved with The Spirit Room. The title track, Hotel Paper, talks about love and jealousy: "I’d be out of line telling you ‘leave her’ so I lie lonely surrounded by you." Breathe is the album’s happiest, most upbeat song, and feels like a blast of fresh air. Michelle shows she’s capable of some real sublime moments if she’s with the right team of collaborators.

It’s been thirteen years since their last all-new release, but you’ll be glad to know they’re still sounding as lean and mean as ever. What more, the band’s experimental zest and knack for volatile compounds remain intact and their new release offers compact, arena-ready songs that are simultaneously nimble and sturdy, with bold displays of metallic crunch, and industrial sizzle. There is a good mixture of styles on this album, including songs that are a bit slower in tempo, like To Match The Sun as well as songs like Just Because with massive walls of guitar. There are glimpses of the traditional Jane’s sound in the new songs Price To Pay and Everybody’s Friend, as Perry’s sensitivity is underscored by familiar melancholy.

The album opens with, naturally, a parody of the typical James Bond title song, A Man For All Seasons, belted out with flair by Robbie Williams and written by Hans Zimmerman. Composer Edward Shearmur’s action extravaganza maintains a thrilling pace with Truck Chase, Agent No.1 and Parachute Drop. The album also features tracks by Moloko and Abba. This is the most entertaining score of the year.

After the successful wave of her debut album, On How Life Is, which featured breakthrough hits like Do Something and I Try and her next album Id, Macy Gray is out with her album, The Trouble With Being Myself. Blessed with a distinctive voice, Macy has put together an intriguing collection of songs exploring life’s different challenges and set to a driving, pulsating beat. Every line, every hook, every chorus and bridge are straight from the heart of a woman who is unafraid of all those challenges. The opening track, When I See You, is a bright ray of sunshine layered into music. The fun-loving lyrics are about the joy of convincing a man of your love for him. Macy’s pithy lyrics and Dallas Austin’s soulfully slurred production complement each other well, especially on the track My Fondest Childhood Memories. Happiness, a bright and snappy mid-tempo track, is a musical embodiment of Macy’s passion. And the best of all, Screamin’ is a sweet playground bounce, celebrating love’s invigorating impact. The album with its fine musical arrangement is a fine example of what makes Macy Gray the international superstar that she is.