STACK #146 Dec 2016

REVIEWS MUSIC

Alicia Keys Here It’s been a long four years since Girl On Fire , but Alicia Keys returns with an album as beautiful and bare as its cover art. Finally bringing back the hungry passion that had seemingly left her in recent releases, Keys delivers a deeply personal and political record full of pure class. The vast range of topics discussed is breathtaking; you couldn’t imagine songs about lack of environmental care ( Kill Your Mama ), family complexity after re-marriage ( Blended Family (What You Do For Love) ) and unfair beauty standards ( Girl Can’t Be Herself ) could merge so well, and yet they do, while each one proves strong enough to stand alone as a single. This new, emotionally gritty attitude proves that Keys is once again… on fire. (Sony) Savannah Douglas

Bruno Mars 24K Magic Can I preach? Can I preach? Bruno Mars is back and bringing the Uptown Funk on his latest, 24K Magic (yeah, it’s pronounced "24 karat"). Those hooligans who have been hanging for some classic Bruno since his last release back in 2012 ( Unorthodox Jukebox ) won’t be disappointed, as his latest disc is sending shivers down our spines the same way When I Was Your Man did. Too Good To Say Goodbye has some Locked Out Of Heaven vibes reverberating off the chorus, and title track 24K Magic is a classic Bruno single, from the ‘pop pop’ balladry to the private jet in the film clip. You’ll wind up a hopeless romantic even if you didn’t think you

Illy Two Degrees Illy speaks volumes to those from the outer south eastern suburbs – those of us that grew up on the Pakenham/Frankston lines, checking out the sand sculptures and fighting for the best spots on the beach, year in, year out. One of those ‘triple j artists’ lucky enough to permeate the mainstream radio waves, Illy's latest release Two Degrees showcases his talent for making truth catchy. Take Papercuts , a commentary on a broken relationship that both participants are too comfortable in to leave; or Hazard To Myself featuring Sir the Baptist, which anyone who’s cured a long day with a bit of a bev or six can relate to. Two Degrees is a hip hop venture with bright allusions to Illy’s future as an artist – any more collabs with Anne-Marie and I might just lose my mind. (Warner) Alesha Kolbe

Robbie Williams Heavy Entertainment Show After hearing television labelled as ‘light entertainment’, Robbie Williams refused to accept the medium’s force as mere innocent throwaway, and instead hit back with his counter-term ‘heavy entertainment’. Due to each song style being so strikingly different, the album plays along much like someone channel surfing. Look at David’s Song being a Days Of Our Lives ballad, Heavy Entertainment Show the signature, theatrical Glee track, and a little bit of That ‘70s Show comedy in Motherf- cker . Sans the misshapen way it’s presented, there are some riveting standouts and Williams hasn’t lost his cheeky ways – he just needs a new aerial for a better connection, is all. (Sony) Savannah Douglas

had it in you. #blessed (Warner) Alesha Kolbe

KATE BUSH LIVE ALBUM BEFORE THE DAWN OUT NOW ON 3 CD, 4 LP & DOWNLOAD INCLUDES 24 PAGE BOOKLET

23