Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
In ambiguity a sense of coyness and obscurity can be found hiding, waiting for another’s deft touch to bring the subject out from the shroud and veil which has been placed auspiciously around it, to reveal the message and meaning, to coax the ambiguous from its butterfly like cocoon and let it stand, unhindered, with a flourish and with its tale ready to be told.
An album title is a piece of work on its own, it is never plucked randomly out the air and attached as if stuck by a pin to the cover, and for the sensitive insight to which Katie Melua brings to the world through her music, the thought of ambiguity of title is in fact in splendid keeping with the songs that nestle succinctly within Album No.8; each one, like the album, a bold statement of intent, a matter of fact delivered with strong undertones, and one that is arguably Ms. Melua’s most directly personal, well observed and beguiling album to date.
What is a name but a precursor to an introduction and understanding anyway, and in Album No.8 the sense of understanding is paramount, a long running series of albums which shows no sign of abating or slowing down, capturing the essence of the performer and showing there is no join between chrysalis and reveal, it is just one single beautiful movement.
Across tracks such as English Manner, Voices In The Night, Your Longing Is Gone, the final overwhelming sincerity of Remind Me To Forget and the superb drama of A Love Like That, Katie Melua’s spirit remains undaunted and yet willing to be exposed, to bare the soul whilst protecting her own thoughts from the demons to which we are all fighting.
The album title may suggest an intent, but it is in the lyrics that the serious question of resolve and concentrated engagement, and throughout the intention is clear, to tell one’s story with clarity you must not hide behind circumspect coyness or concealed references, instead you must embrace the freedom that a name will give you.
Katie Melua has soared, the safety of the cocoon is long since been forgotten, instead the world awaits its joy of discovery.
Katie Melua releases Album No.8 on October 16th.
Ian D. Hall