Joan started singing in the 60’s and released her first album in 1972. Since then, she has issued albums on a fairly regular basis, and this is her 21st studio release. She is no longer the name she used to be, and many people might struggle to recollect who she is until you mention her two biggest hits, the classic love song Love and Affection and the 1982 pop rock song Drop the Pilot. However, I am not one of those people, and as a fan, I tend to get her albums on release, and I try to see her in concert whenever possible. As well as being a great singer and songwriter, she is also a highly underrated guitarist who would give many a posing and posturing rocker a run for their money.
As the album is relatively short—less than 40 minutes—I will avoid giving you a perfunctory overview of the songs and their feel and instead give you a track-by-track review, which took me longer to write than to listen to the album.
The first track, 25 Kisses, is a joyful, up-tempo pop song. It is not so much a love song as a lust song describing desire, how much fun numerous kisses can be, and what they could lead to. To me, this is the standout song.
Someone Else – is all about one-sided love while the partner is just cruising until something better comes along. Joan somehow manages to fit such powerful and painful lyrics into such a great tune, with a chorus that could easily become an audience sing-along in her live concerts.
Irresistible – An old-school love song that, with her deep, almost warbling voice, is a recognisable sort of song that Joan does so well and very few do better. If you love someone deeply, play this song to show them how you truly feel. Who knows how grateful they will be?
I’m Not Moving – No, it’s not a cover of the Phil Collins song but a soft rock protest song about standing up for yourself. It sounds okay on the CD but, like many of her songs, I can imagine it sounding even better in concert.
Say It Tomorrow—How love can grow and develop and make someone whole. This is a safe song, but if you are looking for inspiration, do not dwell on it for too long.
Back and Forth – Oh Yes, this is it, arguably the best track on the album. It took its time to arrive, but I was definitely hoping for it. An instrumental that allows Joan to show off what a truly great guitarist she is. A track that wouldn’t be out of place on a rock band’s album. However, it still feels far too restrained, as if she is afraid that playing hard might damage my speaker.
Come Back to Me (if only in dreams) – A yearning to regain a lost love, but it is possibly the lightest track on the album and seems more of a brief filler than a song that will linger in the heart or mind.
Here’s What I Know – dwelling on the past, but too short and seems to run out of steam by the end. A good old-fashioned guitar or sax solo would have made this far more interesting and powerful.
Redemption Love – An end of night at the disco song were you grab a partner and hold them close, the song is the start, but what happens after that is up to you two.
How Did This Happen And What Does It Now Mean – With a title like this, I must admit that I was half expected to hear a protest song with veiled references to political leaders, but it is a song questioning what went wrong in a relationship. Lyrics that can eat into the heart, as I am sure that many of us have lived them. But it fails to reach the emotional heights and left me wishing that it had been an angry, ranting protest song.
Now What—This is another instrumental, and despite the almost tropical disco bass and backbeat, it is another chance for Joan to show off her guitar virtuosity with a tune that wouldn’t be out of place on a Santana album. I can’t help feeling that if he had played it, he would have pumped it up to another level and made it an instant classic.
I Gave You My Keys – Joan has sung about keys to the heart before, so it is a familiar metaphor. This song is a slower take on a previous recording. Maybe she should upgrade, get a fingerprint sensor, and broaden her lyrical themes?
After reinventing herself as a blues musician with her surprising yet stunning Into the Blues album and following it with the brilliant This Charming Life, her subsequent albums have been hit-and-miss affairs with a slow declining trajectory into laziness. Yes, the lyrics have been powerful and painted some great pictures, but they have come across as simply ‘product’ released to tick boxes and get income from the loyal fans. Despite being one of those fans who was eager to get my hands on this CD and give it a concentrated listen, I must admit that I found it to be mildly disappointing, and my opinion was not changed after the second and third listens. I genuinely wanted it to grow on me, but it didn’t. Perhaps it would be nice background noise for a dinner party, but nothing more than that.
How Did This Happen and What Does it Now Mean is far too relaxed, easygoing and possibly lazy to make any real emotional impact. Unlike many of her previous albums, I can’t imagine that I will be giving this a regular outing on my CD player. There are far too many fillers, and the killers are more like accidental manslaughter than a blood fest. It was a missed opportunity, but being a fan, I will await her next album and hope that she puts a little more effort into her output. But, on the plus side, the sleeve is bright and cheerful, which is nice.
TRACK LISTING
01. 25 Kisses (3:05)
02. Someone Else (3:15)
03. Irresistible (3:18)
04. I’m Not Moving (3:36)
05. Say It Tomorrow (3:42)
06. Back And Forth (3:05)
07. Come Back To Me (If Only In Dreams) (2:56)
08. Here’s What I Know (3:37)
09. Redemption Love (2:24)
10. How Did This Happen And What Does It Now Mean (3:41)
11. Now What (1:42)
12. I Gave You My Keys (4:12)
Total Time – 39:50
MUSICIANS
Joan Armatrading – All Instruments
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: BMG
Country of Origin: U.K.
Date of Release: 22nd November 2024
LINKS
Joan Armatrading – Website | Facebook | YouTube | X | Instagram
