Lianne La Havas, Blood - album review

Download: Unstoppable; Green and Gold; What You Don’t Do

Andy Gill
Friday 24 July 2015 14:36 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Blood is front-loaded: I can’t think of another album that follows such a relentlessly downward course, all but giving up the ghost completely on the insipid closer “Good Goodbye”.

But the opening three songs are aces: “Unstoppable” surfs in on fluttering chimes and aptly nebulous cooing before a languid bass lope heralds a cosmic love croon, La Havas “floating through the darkest reaches of space” on swirling strings. The Caribbean epiphany “Green and Gold” then finds her “looking at my life unfold, dreaming of the green and gold” over a gorgeous rolling shuffle groove created with Jamie Lidell.

Another rolling groove, the single “What You Don’t Do”, muses engagingly on faith, fidelity and romantic confidence. But thereafter things subside into a limp parade of Sade-esque boudoir soul and relationship reflections that, pleasant as they are, gradually release their hold on one’s attentions.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in