Released: 20 August 2021
Jane McDonald brings together new songs and fan favourites on her latest album ‘Let The Light In’
The record marks the first time the powerhouse singer has recorded with her live band and replicates the united, cohesive sound of her live shows.
It’s a format reflected in the song selection; four of which appeared on her last LP ‘Hold The Covers Back’, along with three covers from her live show, two reworked tracks and three new compositions.
As a collection, the album showcases Jane’s vocal prowess, which is as strong now as it was 25 years ago when cameras rolled for BBC’s ‘The Cruise’.
But what’s disappointing is that half of the 12 tracks are already widely available – albeit in different configurations – leaving essentially a six-track EP of new cuts.
Moreover, the new songs are so good, including the country-tinged You Don’t Know What You Got, funk-driven You & I Could and You Still Lead Me, perhaps her strongest self-penned offering to date.
Covers of ‘The Greatest Showman’ tunes This Is Me and Never Enough, and Shallow from ‘A Star is Born’, add to her recorded repertoire, and it’s hard not to want for more.
That’s not to knock the quality of the record; the original material is career-best work and, if there’s one thing to be taken from ‘Let The Light In’, it’s that Jane McDonald remains at the top of her game.
‘Let The Light In’ is available now.