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Album reviews - Charlotte Day Wilson, Puscifer, Nick Jonas, Ella Mai & Only The Poets

Canadian mood music from Charlotte Day Wilson, King Crimson vibes courtesy of Maynard James Keenan's Puscifer, a new introspective sound for Nick Jonas, classic US soul from Londoner Ella Mai and old skool indie pop courtesy of Only The Poets in this week's best new releases

[Charlotte Day Wilson]

Mood music from Charlotte Day Wilson

ALBUM OF THE WEEK

CHARLOTTE DAY WILSON / Patchwork ****

Toronto is notoriously cold at this time of the year, but local songbird Wilson has conjured a toasty musical atmosphere to combat winter chafing and any feelings of loneliness or isolation. This is pure mood music, a woozy cocktail thats one part Thundercat to two parts early Jessie Ware; built for headphone introspection. Never mind that the piano sounds like it was recorded under water during opener High Road, the purity and intensity of Charlottes effortless voice cuts through.

If Only with its classy R&B chord progressions, floaty saxophone breaks and tweeting birds puts the listener in a wondrous dream-like state, as does the delicately groovy Selfish. Occasionally the alt-pop production feels unnecessarily kooky, so its testament to the quality of these songs and Charlottes compelling laid-back tone that Patchwork is so darn more-ish. This is a collection that youll want to keep on loop and make part of a daily routine, like brushing your teeth. Theres definitely nothing patchy about Charlottes music.

[Ella Mai]

Quality soul from Ella Mai

ELLA MAI / Do You Still Love Me? ****

It took a Londoner to reconnect America with classic R&B and now Ella is cementing her status as the new Queen of soul. An album that questions love in all its guises, Do You Still Love Me? basks in emotional authenticity driven by superior vocals runs. However, Ella sounds like shes also reconnecting with her British heritage too, particularly in the way her accent infiltrates the Mary J-isms.

Long time producer Mustard echoes vintage Kanye West on sophisticated late night head nodder 100, whereas the guitar driven Little Things couldve been a Craig David special from back in the day. A succession of sultry slow jams from Luckiest Man to Tell Her - which doffs its cap to Kelly Rowlands Dilemma - maintain the quality throughout. Understated brilliance.

[Puscifer]

King Crimson vibes from Puscifer

PUSCIFER / Normal Isnt ***

Lurking ominously somewhere between rock, post-punk, Gothic, electro and ambient, Normal Isnt might be the perfect title for such a delicate and perplexing collection. Its the sound of latter period King Crimson or Depeche Mode put through your mums Nutribullet blender, as the interplay between Maynard James Keenan and Carina Round ripples over trippy beats and pulsating alien-like soundscapes.

Between the Robert Fripp-ian noodling an earworm or two wriggles free, particularly the addictive rhythms of Thrust and gently grooving Seven One. Puscifer challenge your idea of sound and find beauty in dissonance during standouts, Self Evident or The Algorithm too. Perhaps not an instantly gratifying hit, Normal Isnt requires real time investment to fully appreciate its complexities, but theres denying Puscifer create a haunting racket.

[Only The Poets]

Indie pop has a future thanks to Only The Poets

ONLY THE POETS/ And Id Do It Again ***

THIS Reading quartet have built a huge following the old fashioned way and created an anthemic old skool indie pop sound to match. And Id Do It Again references the hard graft theyve endured coming up through the UKs live small venues circuit, and its a bit like tuning in to Magic FM as the band proudly parade their influences, not just on their sleeves but entire shirt. Y

oull pick up elements of Wheatus (Monumental), Bruno Mars (Emotionally Hungover) and Zayn (Madeline) along the way. Its a super slick - if occasionally MOR-ish- debut that veers into One Direction territory. Most impressive is frontman Tommy Longhurst whose pipes seem to have the range of an Exocet missile. Radio will be playing these tunes again and again.

[Nick Jonas LP]

Nick Jonas gets introspective in this week's new album releases

NICK JONAS / Sunday Best ***

Think you have those shiny happy Jonas Brothers pegged? Well think again as Nick ditches the arena-rock histrionics in favour of a more intimate singer songwriter vibe. Out of all the brothers Nick was the one being funnelled towards Justin Timberlake style solo pop status, but this album rips up that blueprint with a sound built largely around acoustic guitar, piano, choirs and a string quartet.

The end result really suits his maturing voice and it helps that Nicks opened up lyrically too, self-examining his role as a father, reflecting on self-doubt and trying to be kinder to himself. Its stream of consciousness stuff and unflinchingly honest, which may be a little jarring for old fans. Sure Nick carries a lot of baggage growing up a teen star, but on this form he deserves a clean slate.

[Zayn]

New solo work from Zayn

STREAM THIS WEEK

KOOKS / See Me Now

TAME IMPALA / Dracula (Jennie remix)

FREYA SKYE / Stardust EP

ZAYN / Die For Me

MYLES SMITH & NIALL HORAN / Drive Safe

KYLE FALCONER / Midas Touch ft.Pete Doherty

DIONNE / Out Of My Mind

METRIC / Victim Of Luck

RITA WILSON / Sound Of A Woman

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