Released: 16 April 2021
Rating: ***

Same Difference star Sean Smith throws a curveball this week with an album of swing covers straight from the 1990s. 

Recorded during lockdown, the LP sees a change in direction from the ‘X Factor’ runner-up, who shot to fame in 2008 alongside sister Sarah with their unique blend of brilliant, bubblegum pop. 

Five years and two albums later, they parted ways professionally and, while Sean pursued a high energy solo career, you may think nothing could have predicted his second LP, ‘Swing for the 90’s’ – but looking back, the writing’s been on the wall since day one…

Remember Same Difference’s ‘X Factor’ days and it was swinging, big band numbers that allowed the duo to shine. From Wham!’s Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go to S Club’s Reach – with a full brass section – Sean has always had a knack for the genre.

Now going it alone, he gets a chance to shine, with strong vocals and an undeniable charisma which elevates what could have been a tongue-in-cheek set to a creative, wholesome body of work. 

Performance is one thing, but the genius of ‘Swing For The 90’s’ is the selection of tracks: pop classics which shouldn’t translate into swing but absolutely 100 per cent do.

Opening with an uptempo rendition of Michelle Gayle’s Sweetness, Sean segues through 10 cuts with a confidence that carries and sells each number as the jazz standard it could very well have been. 

From the Spice Girls’ Who Do You Think You Are? to Steps’ One For Sorrow and Savage Garden’s Truly Madly Deeply, covering songs we all know and love is dangerous territory and often can divide the most devout of fans – especially when it comes to pop.

Here, though, the arrangements are strong and unique enough that each can co-exist side-by-side without stealing the other’s spotlight… and that’s no mean feat. 

But the most surprising aspect of ‘Swing for the 90’s’ though is its recording; produced over the past 12 months, the record was created remotely with the jazz ensemble recording their individual parts alone during the pandemic. 

Yet, the end result is packed with warmth, charisma and such a strong sense of unity that, over a decade into his career, could be Sean’s biggest accomplishment yet. 

‘Swing for the 90’s’ was a massive risk that could very easily have come over as elevator music, but with a bold confidence and a smooth tone that we’ve never truly experienced, Sean’s second LP might just have uncovered his true calling. 

Britain’s answer to Bublé? We wouldn’t put it past him..

‘Swing for the 90’s’ is available on CD and vinyl LP.