Lewis Capaldi
Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent
THIS record is an absolute delight from start to finish as Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi croons through the 12 tracks, raw emotions spilling over via his heavenly, charismatic voice.
The rising star, who topped the charts for several weeks with the record when it was released in May, is easily comparable to Adele at the start of her career a decade ago, despite only being named on the BBC Sound Of list rather than winning it.
He had already spent seven weeks at number one with breakout single Someone You Loved, so it was clear guitar-wielding Capaldi was set for mega-stardom, with his debut album only further sealing the deal.
From epic opener Grace to the pared-back and effortlessly emotive Headspace - via the melodic Forever, piano ballad Bruises and Don't Get Me Wrong, a broken-down track with a slow, bluesy beat and a choir – it's obvious not one track is filler.
4/5
The Who
Who
WHO, which reached number three in the charts in December, was Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend's first album in 13 years (and only their second in 37) – but it has a vitality that belies the Who survivor's years.
All This Music Must Fade is an object lesson in how to start a rock album – with a powerful, upbeat song that sets the scene. The bluesy Ball And Chain is about the Guantanamo detention camp in Cuba, with lyrics a lot more considered than hoping for an early death.
Detour is poppier, with even a touch of lounge, but with its name (The Who evolved from The Detours) and its Baba O'Riley-style keyboards, it's also fondly sentimental of Townshend and Daltrey's 60 years of shared history.
Townshend sings lead on the beautiful orchestral pop song I'll Be Back. We can only hope they are.
4/5
Beyonce
Homecoming: The Live Album
THIS live document of the US singer-songwriter's groundbreaking 2018 Coachella performance overflows with richness, depth, powerful messaging and impeccable artistry.
The conceptual show, painstakingly crafted over an eight-month period, was inspired by America's historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and is a loving ode to African-American culture. Joined by more than 200 dancers and musicians, Beyonce stuck a not-so-polite middle finger up to the festival's long-held hipster "flower crown" image, flipping it on its head.
In terms of the music itself, Beyonce revisited her extensive back catalogue and breathed new life into it. Miraculously she somehow managed to improve on her already flawless portfolio of hits. The nuances that come with a live performance are outstanding, particularly on Formation, Bow Down, I Care and Deja Vu, thanks to the additions of the orchestra, the intoxicating drum beats, the brass band and clever combining of songs and sounds and special effects. To watch the concert as it was intended is one thing, but to hear it as a live album is a genuine treat. Despite dancing almost solidly for the duration of the show, Beyonce's vocal does not waver once.
Beyonce was the first black woman to ever headline Coachella, but boy, she was well and truly worth the wait.
5/5
Soundgarden
Soundgarden: Live From The Artists Den
SOUNDGARDEN frontman Chris Cornell took his own life in 2017, aged only 52 – and, while posthumous releases are notoriously difficult to get 'right', 2019's Live From The Artists Den skilfully presented an unparalleled and overarching document of the Seattle band's 35-year career.
Recorded in February 2013 at the Wiltern Theatre in LA, it captures 29 songs across two and a half hours. The music is dark and fast, twisting itself around weird time signatures and driven by the whiplash drums of Matt Cameron.
It's a much needed document of Cornell in his late career pomp, especially as there have been shamefully few live recordings of the shaggy-haired singer and one-time Bond theme composer – making Soundgarden: Live from The Artists Den even more essential for those keen to ensure Cornell is not soon forgotten.
5/5
