The West End star pays tribute to the songwriting skills of Jim Steinman with an album devoted to a selection of his songs.

Having starred in the musical Bat Out of Hell, both in Manchester and the West End before heading to hit musical Six, it is no wonder that Danielle Steers shows so much depth and understanding to Jim Steinman’s songs.

With the songs having been rearranged for this album by Noam Galperin, it offers a fresh chance to hear and experience these songs in a different way. This is particularly noticeable on ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ and ‘Holding Out For a Hero’ which are beautifully distinctive in sound but still retain the spirit of the original.

While there are some songs that are possibly less familiar to some listeners, you really can sense how Steers manages to delve deep into the song and draws out the meaning as heard on ‘Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through’. There is a really lovely soulful quality to her voice that shines through on ‘Lost Boys and Golden Girls’, which is contrasted nicely with the energy of ‘The Future Ain’t What it Used to be’.

Throughout, there is a lovely sense of theatricality that comes through and it is certainly not an album that plays it safe. The sense of experimental style on display musically on ‘Holding Out For a Hero’, with its multitude of layers uncovering darker tones that are fascinating to listen to.

But each song that has been selected and the way in which they have been arranged really capture the depth of the singers voice in a pleasing way, enhancing the edginess of her style. It is clear that she has a deep connection to all of the songs.

Overall, The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be is a distinctive and bold album that oozes with style. Fans of Danielle Steers will certainly not be disappointed with this collection of songs.

By Emma Clarendon

The album is available to buy now by visiting: https://www.daniellesteers.co.uk/shop/p/sodium-haplt

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐