Title: Devotion
Artist: Jessie Ware
Label: PMR, Island
Genre(s): R&B, Soul, Pop, UK
Released: August 20, 2012
Unknown to many on this side of the pond, Jessie Ware put out a super solid debut album entitled Devotion last summer. Devotion is damn near a perfect balance of R&B, soul, pop, electronica, 80s, 90s & present day blended together on nearly every track. When Ware and her production team—Dave Okumu, Julio Bashmore and Kid Harpoon—successfully mesh all of those elements together, you get standout pieces like the title track, “Devotion,” “Running,” “Night Light,” “Swan Song,” “Sweet Talk,” and “110%.” On the other hand, when Jessie takes a track too far in one direction, such as “Still Love Me” which sounds like a track straight from the 80s, one might wish Ware would have opted for a shorter album that included only the top 10 tracks. However, the album’s production quality and Jessie’s voice allows for the entire album to be played from beginning to end without a strong urge to fast forward to the next song.
The only real critique of Devotion is I wish Jessie would go a little harder in belting out her vocals. It’s obvious that Jessie Ware has an amazing voice but she’s playing it safe in this album. Nonetheless, the talented songstress and beauty, has a good chance of taking home the gold for “British Female Solo Artist” and “British Breakthrough” at the 2013 BRIT Awards.
Rating: A
Favorite Tracks:
Sweet Talk
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9IsJ2MYKQI&w=630%&h=450]
Running
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvlFWmvgeVI&w=630&h=450]
110 % (If You’re Never Gonna Move)
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eblGD5yuid8&w=630&h=450]
Bonus:
Devotion (Album Teaser)
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwjFCOkAFzk&w=630&h=450]
