Jessie Ware has made an album in Devotion that blends equal parts pop, EDM, and an intimate singer-songwriter approach. While the album was released late last year in Europe, Devtion’s US release contains additional tracks and represents one of the locations of the incredible Wildest Moments remix (featuring ASAP Rocky). Sweet Talk has a retro, early-eighties feel (imagine Bananarama’s I Heard a Rumour or early Yazoo) that keeps things glitchy enough to keep current fans listening on. The original version of Wildest Moments adds greater instrumental complexity to the mix, while allowing Ware’s vocals to be highlighted at all of the right places. Ware’s vocals here touch upon Sinead O’Connor and Annie Lennox. What will be tremendously evident to listeners is the bright and clean production that Devotion employs. Everything has its own place, and what results in Devotion is something clean and sterile while bubbling over with the human spirit.
Imagine It Was Us is a tremendously affecting effort, a track that will pull on the heartstrings of anyone that has loved someone without having the same sort of love back. The Wilest Moments remix could easily be a different track from the initial effort, as ASAP Rocky’s rapping during the track creates a dynamic that I would personally love to hear in subsequent Ware music. Make sure to check out eir website for more information regarding news, tour dates, and any new music that may issue forth across the pond. Ware will have a long and fruitful career ahead of eir, and interested listeners should search out a copy of Devotion to see what ey is all about.
Top Tracks: If You’re Never Gonna Move, Imagine It Was Us
Rating: 8.6/10
Jessie Ware Devotion CD Review / 2013 Island / Cherrytree / 14 Tracks / http://www.jessieware.com
