The Gay UK Issue 3 Marriage | Page 21

MUSIC ◼◼◼◼◼ SOPHIE ELLISBEXTOR You know when you have a favourite artist, someone with a specific, unique sound, a person whose albums you buy, time and again because you love that sound? That pop/ dance fusion that has you nodding your head as you listen on your way to work? All in all, this is a showcase for how her voice has grown over her career, and also a brave choice of work to put out there. Some may say it’s a vanity project, self-financed because it isn't immediately commercial, but it seems to be working. Sales have been good, and to be honest, it’s grown on me wasn't too sure on the first listen. This is one of the reasons for the delay in writing this, rather than immediately after the albums release - it is a grower. If I’d written this after one hearing, my rating and review would be very different. And that’s a good thing sometimes, being too hasty is a bad thing... ∎ Reviews by George McPhail & Chris Jones LEWIS WATSON self-released his ◼◼◼◼ debut EP It’s Got Four Sad Songs KISS ME ONCE is Kylie’s On It, BTW after establishing a 12th album and the first under devoted online fan-base. It topped new management Roc Nation. the iTunes singer-songwriter chart The album finds Kylie sounding on the first day of release, outselling refreshed, and nicely updated, ◼◼◼◼ ranging from the crazy electroSECONDCITY The UK’s the likes of Adele, Madonna and Ed camp of Les Sex to the robotic Sheeran in the process, and landed ballad antics of Enrique Iglesias love affair with big deep house continues with this latest the then nineteen-year-old singer- on duet Beautiful. The piece of sexy piano led feel ubiquitous Pharrell also makes songwriter a deal with Warner Bros. an appearance with his selfgood house, already being championed by the likes of produced track I was Gonna Records. In addition to the standard CD and digital versions of the eleven-track album, a special D2C book edition will also be released with a bonus 52-page diary which tells the story of the making of the album. A comprehensive 37-track version will also be available which collates The Morning together with all five EPs to date as well as an additional compilation which features previously unreleased songs and demo recordings. ∎ Cancel, a funky cowbell electro tinged affair that’s quirky and playful. The fluttering dance-pop of Feels So Good seems like the perfect song Kylie should be singing at this stage in her career and If Only is a stuttering electro tinged ballad with chopped vocals and a huge chorus and of course lead single Into The Blue sees Kylie back on euphoric anthem form. The whole album sounds clean, fresh and modern and the album Kylie needed to release. ∎ Zane Low, Annie Mac, Pete Tong, Skream, CapitalXtra and Kiss Fm this is going to be a big one! ∎ ◼◼◼ CALVIN HARRIS Summer Ahhh, there is nothing like a big dumb generic dance track to get you in the mood for sunnier days and Calvin is the King of big feelgood dumb dance anthems. And this is no different! A brand new song from a brand new album and with Calvin back on singing duties it’s another sure fire No.1. ∎ 21