CD REVIEW: Blood by Lianne La Havas

FOLLOWING the success of her first album Is Your Love Big Enough?, Lianne La Havas’s second studio album Blood offers a rhythmic reggae-jazz sound dedicated to her Greek and Jamaican bloodline.

Blood’s first single, Unstoppable is arguably the best on the album and sets up the soft pace and reggae undertone which is carried throughout the album.

The crafty song-writing talents gently weave through the singer’s beautiful voice and instrumental abilities, allowing the tune to be a feel-good summer jam.

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The second track, Green and Gold, introduces a quirky take on the jazz genre, expressing an easygoing whimsical tone.

It sits comfortably on the record and allows a certain clarity to seep through the lyrics.

Havas suggests “I’m where I’m supposed to be, And Now I'm fully grown, And I'm seeing everything clearer”, which couldn't be more on point.

Ghost and Wonderful depict a vulnerable side to La Havas’s, who sings confidently over gentle flickers of a guitar.

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Her exposed voice illustrates her song-writing talents and the tranquillity of her delivery.

But just as we’re getting to know La Havas’s musical motivations, she takes a U-turn on the whimsical easy-goingness and decides to become more ‘passionate’ as songs go on.

The over-shouting in Grow becomes annoying and awkward over the fastening pace of the drum.

Never Get Enough also doesn’t quite fit in, sitting awkwardly in the penultimate position of the record.

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The chorus's forceful rock-dance base juxtaposed with the gentle soulful voice of the verse may be an experimental piece of work but it feels misplaced and doesn't do justice to her previous tracks.

Nonetheless, Blood is a confident piece of work by Lianne La Havas and does justice to her song writing abilities and creative outlook in combining the genres of reggae, jazz and soul.