This was a real struggle to get through. You Only Love Me is the only good song, the rest are forgettable. Can’t see myself ever coming back to this which is a shame as Phoenix is still such a great album.

Edited July 14, 20231 yr by Frenchie

She really has fallen out of favour with the British public and it’s a shame the material is pretty decent.

Album is now out!

On first listen I actually think it’s quite good as a whole album, there was no duds although the songs are very short (which is kinda the norm now but some of the songs could’ve elevated more with one final moment). I don’t think it sounds quite as high budget and hit stacked as what Phoenix did but there are some good tracks on here what lie with the album tracks.

 

I’ll have another listen to see what stands out more across the weekend but yeah it’s pretty solid but perhaps slightly on the safe side.

I dont think her being on the voice has helped as she doesn't come across likeable in the slightest

Didn't even know this was out today, and I can't say I'll be giving it a listen...

I love her but it's not going to be a smash is it?

On first listen:

 

8.0 - Don't Think Twice - It's a decent opener but doesn't really hit the high levels of her previous album leaders.

10.0 - You Only Love Me - By far the best song on the album and her closest attempt to Anywhere, not quite as good but still a decent effort.

06.5 - Praising You - I've tried so hard to warm to this, but it just cringes me out at this point.

06.0 - Unfeel It - A bit plain, this track goes nowhere really.

08.0 - Waiting for You - This slaps a bit, I won't lie. A summery bop. Should have been the song featured on NMF.

07.5 - You & I - I mean, it's nice... it just sounds like a Taylor Swift carbon copy.

09.0 - That Girl - A nice little sample, I quite like this. The best of the album tracks.

05.0 - Shape of Me - Boring.

07.5 - Look At Me Now - A slower effort here, and Rita sounds absolutely gorgeous on this.

06.0 - Girl in the Mirror - Sounds very dated, like an old Charli XCX reject. Wouldn't surprise me if this was meant for Charli.

05.0 - Notting Hill - Zzzzzzzzzzz. Filler filler filler.

06.5 - I Don't Wanna Be Your Friend - Nothing really to say about this either.

 

Overall, there is a couple of decent album tracks - 'Waiting for You' and 'That Girl', but the second half of the album really falls off the face of the earth.

 

Half of this album is dreadful. A massive step down from Phoenix.

 

Yeah I think it's a decent effort, couple of fillers but on the whole there's some nice little songs on it. 'Unfeel It' and 'Shape Of Me' are the two that stood out to me on first listen.

 

I dread to think where it's gonna land on the chart though - I wouldn't be surprised if it misses the top 20 (or worse!)

Edited July 14, 20231 yr by Mangø

I dont think her being on the voice has helped as she doesn't come across likeable in the slightest

Yeah I think this is half the problem, she really doesn't come across as very likeable, and of course the whole Covid party-gate thing did her no favours whatsoever. I don't think she can ever really recover from falling out of favour with the public at this point.

Edited July 14, 20231 yr by Mangø

I find her very likeable on The Masked Singer, I don't really get what the issue with her is on there! She makes awful guesses but they all do :kink: Partygate was definitely what sunk her, which is a shame as the music has remained great.

 

I love the album, it's not as good as Phoenix but it's strong and consistent, and the bops in particular really land. Unfeel It, Waiting for You and You & I is a great run, and Shape of You and Girl in the Mirror are my other favourites. I met her again today at her album signing in London and she was just as kind as always :wub:

Ahh glad to hear how nice she is Joseph! I’m meeting her tomorrow :wub:

 

Were you able to get pictures with her?

Edited July 15, 20231 yr by Slayer

The album is very forgettable. Not much leaving an impression which is a real shame.

Can’t see me returning to the album sadly. I liked That Girl, good sample. The singles are all quite good too but I haven’t loved any of them.

I enjoyed the album tbh!

 

Just met Rita and she was really nice, love my photos with her too! :wub:

Number 3 in todays mids, nice if she could stay top 5 as I think itvwill drop like a stone next week.

@1681050919788576769

 

Promo queen :kink: :cheer:

How is the album on course to be top 3 when there's literally no hit singles from it? Very unexpected!

How is the album on course to be top 3 when there's literally no hit singles from it? Very unexpected!

 

The 4 HMV signings & 2 Pryzm launch shows will definitely have helped a lot, and there's quite a few variants iirc? Still impressive though!

How is the album on course to be top 3 when there's literally no hit singles from it? Very unexpected!

It doesn't exactly take that many sales, and she's enough of a name to be able to use social media to her advantage as well I expect. Plus the above - signings and shows etc that many artists do