The singer’s eighth album shows that she has lost none of her touch as a songwriter but feels a little bit middle of the road.
Gabrielle’s latest album is certainly filled with introspection and soulfulness that we have come to expect from her but equally there is a seriousness to it that can make it feel a little bit too sombre in places.
There is a consistency to the tempo musically which means that lyrically there is plenty to be heard and examined – with songs such as the wistful ‘Sorry’ and beautifully poised ‘Rainbow’ really highlighting this in an understated way.
Throughout the album, there is a sense that the singer is trying to work through some deeply felt emotions and there is a real sense of her struggle that keeps the listener engaged and makes it feel relatable. This can be particularly heard on songs such as ‘Never’ which has a familiar sound to ‘Should I stay’ in terms of wistfulness and the poignancy of a relationship, which contrasts nicely with ‘Change’ – a more uptempo and determined song.
What makes Gabrielle such as distinctive singer is the way in which she gets to the heart of an emotion and issue that immediately captures the attention. This is thanks to the delicate balance of the sincerity of the lyrics combined with the singer’s warm vocals that conveys the emotion in an understated way.
If you listen to songs such as ‘A Place in Your Heart’ and ‘ Taken Over’, it is possible to get a sense of the confidence Gabrielle has in emotionally opening up through her songs.
But it does have to be said that while lyrically there is plenty available here to pack a punch, musically it feels a little more middle of the road that can slightly lessen the impact of the songs. It is an album that is perfect to listen to if you are trying to discover something inside yourself – but it can feel a little heavy going at times.
This being said, there is still plenty to appreciate on this album – with songs such as ‘Taken Over’ and ‘Change’ being real standout tracks. It would just be nice if there was a little bit more variety musically to keep fans on their toes.
By Emma Clarendon
A Place in Your Heart is available to buy and download now.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐