Released: November 17
On 2020’s Let Me Reintroduce Myself, Gwen Stefani declared she’s ‘still the original me’, but four years later the singer – who scored a run of hits with No Doubt before launching a chart-topping solo career – reemerges as a ‘70s yacht rock siren on her fifth LP, ‘Bouquet’.
A collaboration with country producer Scott Hendricks, the 10-song LP sees the hitmaker ditch the ska, electro-pop and hip-hop sounds of her previous releases in favour of a more organic direction, resulting in her most personal body of work to date.
It’s only fitting that first single Purple Irises features Gwen’s husband, Blake Shelton, as her duet partner. Not only one of the earliest songs to emerge from the album sessions, the autobiographical track journeys through her early relationship insecurities to the pair’s life together on their Oklahoma ranch.
Lead single Somebody Else’s is something of an outlier on the record, with the storming anthem bidding farewell to the past with no uncertainty. A sure-fire radio hit, it stands out as one of the strongest tracks in her repertoire and a line in the sand as she proclaims: ‘Leaving you saved me, my God / Look at me blossom.’
The botanical theme runs through the record, with the title song and Marigolds early highlights that celebrate their connection, as she sings on the former: ‘Look at the life we made / We’re makin’ our own bouquet.’
It’s a metaphor for the album as a whole, with each song reflecting a particular moment, mood or emotion; Empty Vase is a tribute to Shelton filling her world with life and colour, while Pretty sees Gwen compare her inner glow and contentment to a dazzling diamond ring.
The understated Reminders is among the singer-songwriter’s most poignant lyrics, as she reflects upon the moments of happiness that enrich her day-to-day life, as the slow-burning Swallow My Tears sees her set aside past heartbreaks and embrace the present wholeheartedly.
No doubt a jarring listen for longtime fans who have come to expect a signature sound from Gwen, it’s nonetheless one of the strongest releases of her career to date and further proof of the diva’s versatility in tackling a spectrum of genres with ease. It may not be her most commercial offering, but ‘Bouquet’ will surely be remembered as an essential chapter in Gwen Stefani’s decades-spanning and ever-evolving career.
