Album reviews – Robbie WIlliams, Sleaford Mods, Madison Beer, Elles Bailey

THis week’s biggest album releases find Robbie Williams deliver a love letter to the 90s, Sleaford Mods finding beauty in bleakness, Madison Beer proving she’s capable of anything and the best blues of the year from Elles Bailey. Plus all the hottest tracks you should be streaming.

ROBBIE WILLIAMS / Britpop ****

Conceived as the music he really wanted to make after quitting Take That all those decades ago, Rob plays a fun game of ‘spot the 90s influence’ on this return-to-form collection. Listen out for satisfying nods to Elastica (You), Supergrass (Cocky) and a double whammy of anthemic Oasis sound-alikes (Spies and All My Life) just to wind up the Gallaghers.

There’s real steel to the opening trio of anthems, the guitars crunchier than a bag of McCoys crisps, but having mastered his pop croon perhaps Robbie’s precise vocals never quite match the rawness he longs for. Nevertheless the second half of Britpop is a riot highlighted by amusing stalker paean, Morrissey (penned with Gary Barlow) which recalls his Pet Shop Boys collab She’s Madonna.

Better still is Rob’s delicate AI takedown, Human assisted by Chris Martin where Stoke’s favourite son gets to compliment God on his decor skills. Top of the lot is most definitely It’s OK Until The Drugs Stop Working, a love letter to the Divine Comedy with a few cheeky doffs of his Union Jack pants to the Spice Girls, namely Stop.

The world loves Robbie when he’s strutting around enjoying being Robbie Williams, and it does sound like he’s rather fond of himself again.

SLEAFORD MODS / The Demise Of Planet X ****

They rallied against the state of nation on UK Grim and now the Nottingham duo survey the chaotic fallout, partying in the cultural abyss that’s left behind.

Nobody cuts to the chase with such primal lyrical force as Jason Williamson who – aided by Star Wars actress Gwendoline Christie on Good Life – vents against artists who “styled it out with robbed stuff” and “wear crap clothes like Jasper Carrott.” Strangely there’s beauty in the bleakness thanks in no small part to Andrew Fearn’s sophisticated backing tracks, No Touch a particularly impressive syncopation of rhyme and bassline.

Better still are the bewitching chord progressions helping make Bad Santa’s theme of toxic masculinity more palatable, the track growing ever more unsettling like Ben Kingsley’s performance in Sexy Beast. As the twisted strains of the Magic Roundabout fade over the title track, it feels like you’ve escaped from an asylum; perhaps it’s Stockholm Syndrome, but you’ll definitely want to be readmitted.

MADISON BEER / Locket ***

Maybe one of pop’s most underrated personalities, Beer has quietly been carving out a fascinating alt-pop career. Something of a musical chameleon, her last album basked in 60s psychedelia, but this time Madison is hedging her bets and trying a bit of everything.

A fantastical theatrical mood is set with Locket Theme drizzled in sparkling orchestration and flashbacks of Ariana Grande at her most Wicked. However, she’s pulling the wool over her audience’s ears because Yes Baby abruptly ramps up the EDM basslines, Madison leaning full throttle into the alluring sex symbol role, then switching again for a Mariah-lite late 90s R&B throwback called Angel Wings.

She seems able to do it all for sure, and the dreamy soundscapes compliment her breathy style, but there’s a disjointed undercurrent that leaves you wondering if something in that locket is still begging to break out.

ELLES BAILEY / Can’t Take My Story Away ***

Creating a vital blues album is no mean feat in the 21st century so Kodus to Bailey for delivering something close to a modern classic. On this form it’s no surprise the Bristol belle collects Vocalist Of The Year gongs for fun, and you can feel the grit and determination in her voice as she documents stepping out of a controlling relationship over the swelling title track.

Working with new musicians offers her more musical diversity and Bailey’s voice, which always possessed the rasp of prime Janis Jopling, adapts effortlessly to fresh, joyous adventures throughout. Growing Roots is pure sunshine lifted by a Joni Mitchell groove, whereas the brassy, call-and-response belter, Angel is an authentic Stax tribute to cherish. Quite the story and it’s only just starting.

Stream These Tracks This Week

ARLO PARKS/ 2Sided

SLAYYYTER/ Dance

OWEN SAWARD/I Wish

SAMM HENSHAW/ it Could Be Worse

KIM GORDON / Not Today

JEFF GOLDBLUM / Night Blooms

ELLA MAI / 100

NATASHA HAMILTON / Numb

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