Released: July 14
Rita Ora documents her personal journey over the past five years on her third studio album, ‘You & I’.
Appearing as a co-writer on every track, the LP is a collaboration with executive producer Oak Felder that’s conceptually threaded together to signify the different chapters of her relationship and an ode to falling in love.
“This album really means a lot to me.” Rita says. “It’s like my diary of the last few years, it’s my sound and it just feels so true to me and who I am today.”
Opener Don’t Think Twice captures the moment of falling, launching into the record like plunging into the ocean in the heat of summer and setting the tone for a record that celebrates the essence of true romance.
Going through the motions, she explores feelings of insecurity (You Only Love Me, Shape Of Me), lust (Praising You, I Don’t Wanna Be Your Friend) and the idea of destiny (Waiting For You, You & I), documenting the trajectory of romance in all its phases.
From all out dance-pop bangers to smooth mid tempo R&B-inspired numbers and stripped-back powerful ballads, it’s without question the most ambitious album of her career, and while each track is a sure fire hit her personality shines through and there’s an innate sense of authenticity and a pure charisma that validates the message she sings.
Most impressive, though, are her vocals, which stand out across 12 tracks as the best of her career so far, with a clarity and power that emboldens the confidence in her lyrics.
In the 15 years since her debut, Rita’s enjoyed tremendous success as a singles artist, but on ‘You & I’ each song hangs together and paints a portrait of the superstar that’s overpouring with positivity and embracing the moment, for her most accomplished album yet.
The result is a high-spirited body of work that encompasses the feeling of love and channels that innate rush in a non-stop run of pop smashes.
