Jess Glynne, I Cry When I Laugh - Album review

Download: Give Me Something; Hold My Hand; Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself

Andy Gill
Friday 07 August 2015 12:16 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.

Her recent chart-topper “Hold My Hand” provides a fairly accurate template for Glynne’s debut album, as regards both methods and themes.

It’s a record of heartbreak cauterised by hope, so alongside the routine tears and recrimination is a recurrent element of recovery and optimism that sets it apart from most other soul-diva offerings. “Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself” could be the project’s mission statement, with Glynne’s darkly tremulous delivery a kind of turbo-powered warble that conveys strength overcoming tribulation, a message under-scored by the rising figure of the backing vocals. T

he Clean Bandit collaboration “Real Love” is a routine follow-up to their earlier hit “Rather Be”. Elsewhere, Emeli Sandé adds sprinkles to “Saddest Vanilla”, perhaps the only song ever written about getting dumped over a cornet. Ninety-nine tears, presumably.

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