Melanie C has been away from the music industry for a while trying other projects, becoming a mother for the first time and reuniting with the Spice Girls for a world tour. Her last solo album, This Time, was released in 2007 through her own record label Red Girl Records but didn’t prove to be as successful as her three previous records. Now 4 years on Melanie is releasing her fifth album The Sea which sees her returning to a poppier sound than her previous releases.
After a few listens it’s clear that The Sea has more in common with Melanie’s debut album Northern Star then any of her other releases. The album feels a little more commercially-minded with pop sensibilities present throughout. Lead single Think About It is a definite return to her pop roots and proves to be one of the highlights of the record. Opening track The Sea is an understated, slow-building number that gently carries you into the album and sees Melanie performing a restrained vocal. In many ways the track feels like a rebirth for the Spice Girl and establishes the theme of breaking free that runs throughout the record.
Across the record there’s a lot of variety. Beautiful Mind is a soaring string-laden pop song, Stupid Game is a beat-driven uptempo number and Drown is an electro-pop ballad that showcases Melanie’s voice. On All About You Melanie sings about leaving a selfish lover whilst One By One is a stripped-back acoustic mid-tempo gem. Album closer Enemy is an 8-minute epic that marries crashing chorus melodies with Melanie’s soaring vocals.
The standout moment is a toss-up between the anthemic Weak and the big band feel of Get Out Of Here. The former finds Melanie singing about being unable to turn weakness into strength whilst the latter showcases her vocal strength in a way we’ve never heard before.
The Sea is a strong release from Melanie and one that could return her to her former chart glory. Her last two albums haven’t been received as well as her first two but her return to a poppier sound could prove to be a winner. The Sea is a consistent collection of pop gems that should score her another big hit. We just hope she doesn’t leave it another 4 years before she releases her next record.
Source : Entertainment Focus
