Best known for her stint as Clean Bandit’s featured vocalist on the stellar Rather Be, Jess Glynne’s punt at a solo career has already resulted in a chart-topping single, Hold My Hand.
Her debut is more of the same, where her almighty bellow (think a 21st Century version of M-People’s Heather Small) hollers its way through widescreen floor-fillers such as Ain’t Got far to Go, the Emeli Sande-featuring torch song Saddest Vanilla and last year’s collaboration with Clean Bandit, Real Love.
It’s a relentless listen, probably best served in single exhilarating portions rather than as a whole, but the kitchen sink production on Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself (it’s no surprise when the multi-tracked choir and military tattoo drums arrive) is a windswept delight and bold is always more fun than mealy-mouthed.
(Atlantic)
