Hannah Georgas

All That Emotion

All That Emotion, the latest offering from Ontario native Hannah Georgas, runs the gamut of emotion: suppression, oppression and breaking free.

Fresh from producing and co-writing one Taylor Swift’s album - Folklore, you might have heard of it? - The National’s Aaron Dessner helps to create layers of dense instrumentation.

His hypnotic style and choice of driving, looping drums is a fine accompaniment to Georgas’ tremolo vocals.

Songs like Change showcase the range of her voice, which offers vulnerability and steely resolve in equal measure.

Pray It Away, a polyrhythmic zinger that recounts her battle with her conservative-leaning family over same-sex marriage, is a stand-out, while Someone I Don’t Know offers dense, beautiful guitars.

With the help of Dessner’s deft hand, Georgas has produced her most focused and emotionally truthful album yet.

Billy Ocean

One World

Billy Ocean celebrated his 70th birthday by announcing his first album of new material in 10 years and a tour taking in venues across the UK such as the Royal Albert Hall.

Of course, coronavirus put paid to the British R&B and pop legend’s best laid plans, with venues shuttered and itineraries wiped clean, but this album remains.

The Grammy Award-winner co-wrote all 12 tracks on the tellingly titled One World, which was recorded in Manchester and New York last ear.

The album does not get off to a good start.

Opener We Gotta Find Love features muddy, 80s-style production and jarring thunder and rain effects.

Thankfully, Ocean soon hits a stride, riding a taut groove on Feel The Love.

Yet across the album it’s a mixed bag.

Ocean soars when he is allowed to showcase his rough, deep voice but flounders under shoddy production and busy orchestration.

Fresh from being made an MBE in the New Year Honours list, this is a welcome return to the spotlight, but not one that shows off Ocean’s best songwriting.

by Alex Green

Twitter:@iomnewspapers