Released: April 16
Nicki French celebrates her love of all things Eurovision on her latest album dedicated to the Contest.
Having graced the stage in Stockholm back in 2000 with the UK’s entry Don’t Play That Song Again, Nicki is no stranger to the spectacle and showcases her vocal chops on a range of covers spanning its decades-long history.
Opening with a new version of her classic track, the record includes select edits from her ‘Let’s Play That Song Again’ series of EPs, like the stellar dance rendition of Sweet Dreams’ 1983 track I’m Never Giving Up and powerhouse version of Sergey Lazarev’s electronic extravaganza You Are The Only One.
Covering a 45-year period, Eurovision staples like a bouncy take on Teach-In’s 1975 classic Ding A Dong, sit comfortably alongside John Lundvik’s 2019 entry Too Late For Love – one of two brand new recordings featured on the LP.
Also on offer is a Motown-inspired rendition of Belle and the Devotions’ 1984 track Love Games, which brings its sound up to date with a refreshed production while carrying through the essence of the original recording.
That’s what shines through across the album’s 12 songs; Nicki and her collaborators Matt Pop and Pete Ware ‘get’ what Eurovision is all about and, rather than simply recreating the sounds of the originals, they inject new life into each recording for a 2023 audience.
Alongside the main album is a series of remixes, including extended versions of Love Games, You’re The Only One and Bardo’s 1982 hit One Step Further, plus a stunning, stripped back ‘Candlelight’ version of Don’t Play That Song Again.
It’s moments like this and a similarly lush version of Go (Before You Break My Heart) – originally performed as Sì by Gigliola Cinquetti in 1974 – that showcase Nicki’s superb vocals and serve as a reminder that beneath the slick production is a powerhouse singer who has never missed a beat in three decades of performing.
Since appearing at Eurovision, Nicki has maintained her ties with the Contest and become one of the most recognisable faces and voices on the scene, and on her latest album she goes one step further; staging her own mini Eurovision with an eclectic selection of songs delivered by one standout performer. Douze points!
‘Eurovision’ is out now digitally on Energise Records and available to pre-order on CD and vinyl.
