Music reviews: Sinéad O’Connor; Kimbra; Wiz Khalifa
The last time Sinéad O’Connor made news was when she penned an open letter to Miley Cyrus last year, urging Cyrus not to let the music industry “make a prostitute out of [her]”. When the American responded facetiously on Twitter, O’Connor retorted that “taking me on is even more f****** stupid than behaving like a prostitute and calling it feminism”.
I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss
Nettwerk Records
The last time Sinéad O’Connor made news was when she penned an open letter to Miley Cyrus last year, urging Cyrus not to let the music industry “make a prostitute out of [her]”. When the American responded facetiously on Twitter, O’Connor retorted that “taking me on is even more f****** stupid than behaving like a prostitute and calling it feminism”.
On her strong and honest new album, we get both O’Connors: the Mother and the Fury. “I wanna be a real, full woman/and live like a real, full woman every day” are the album’s opening lines. And in the liner notes: “This album is dedicated to me.” Admirable sentiments, but they also underscore the Irish singer’s fraught, contrary relationship with image and celebrity. In the media, her erratic openness is a liability, but on her 10th studio album it’s a strength.
I’m Not Bossy is a confessional album about a woman reaching middle age with a wide musical range that, in its strongest moments (Dense Water Deeper Down, Kisses Like Mine), recaptures all the sensual, sublime vulnerability that made O’Connor a superstar.
The Golden Echo
Warner Bros
Kimbra is best known for her collaboration with Gotye on 2011's unfortunately ubiquitous . Fans expecting a similar sound on her second album, , will find something quite different. The New Zealand singer offers none of Gotye's easily digestible acoustic whimsy. Instead, she has perfected her own brand of watery and derivative pop nothings.
