Clare Maguire’s 2011 album ‘Light After Dark’ provided some true pop gems (‘The Shield And The Sword’ is still one of my favourite pop songs) but it’s been a long break between albums.
What will Clare’s sophomore album ‘Strange Things Have Happened’ bring?
Clare’s powerhouse vocals were evident on her debut release and was something I really liked about her. She also created a bit of a different pop feel with her songs and thankfully both of these elements feature on her new album.
‘Stranger Things Have Happened’ is not as glossy of an affair as album one but its not a bad thing; Clare’s vocals come through in a more powerful way, with the rawness of her voice on display.
The British singer songwriter wrote most of the album at home on her piano and by doing so, she’s been able to highlight and champion the honesty of the songs.
‘Elizabeth Taylor’ is hands down my favourite track on the album. It’s cool, effortless and tells a beautiful story. The production is lush and is a really great representation of the album.
‘Whenever’ hooked me in with the piano melody it opens with and kept me wanting more. It’s a song that builds and once the strings come in, you just want to put it on repeat.
Overall, this album reminds me a lot of Lana Del Rey’s last album (with a lot less depressing and violent lyrics).
It’s a love letter to her life; and it’s a beautiful one at that.
I continue to be a big fan of Clare’s work and I hope you give this album a spin and love it as much as I did.
VERDICT : 4/5.
MUST LISTEN : Elizabeth Taylor, Whenever, Changing Faces.
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