Gabrielle's new single proves that she is still on top diva of British soul. It's good - really good.
The second single to be released from the album Always tells of the refusal to deal with an emotionally abusive relationship any longer. It conjures up a soulful strength with a powerful, string section blasting away in the background referencing Lenny Kravitz's It Ain't Over Till It's Over.
Her voice is still velvety, luxurious and full of timbre and depth but more mellow after 15 years. She has also written some fantastic lyrics that work in a narrative fashion: "You gave every single heartache/ But still my heart wouldn't break". It enfolds you within the story and combines perfectly with the overall sumptuous, comforting sound.
This is certainly a great attempt to draw people towards the album but it may still fall flat. Her last single Why had accompaniment provided by Paul Weller but went virtually unnoticed on the UK charts. Let's hope this upbeat tale will get more airplay and achieve the success it deserves.
