.
Search

Follow Us

Edit Content
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • New Music
  • Reviews
  • Caught Live
  • Future Pop
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • New Music
  • Reviews
  • Caught Live
  • Future Pop
Facebook Instagram Spotify Tiktok
RPM031 Menu-3
  • NEWS
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    Scissor Sisters 2024 Reunion Tour Credit Kevin Tachman Press Handout-4

    Scissor Sisters working on first new material in over a decade

    The I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’ hitmakers played a string of headline shows across the UK, followed by a Stateside stint alongside Kesha, and while the shows celebrated their history, frontman Jake Shears says the group is looking to the future.

    Louis Tomlinson Liam Payne Netflix Handout Credit Dennis Leupold-4

    One Direction stars reunite for new project

    The One Direction stars will front a new three-part documentary series for the streamer, which will see them trek across the United States together.

    Cyndi Lauper 2024 Handout Credit Ruven Afanador-4

    Cyndi Lauper headed to Las Vegas for first-ever residency

    The True Colors hitmaker is headed to Sin City for her first-ever extended stint, taking place at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in April and May next year.

    Mariah Carey Press Handout Credit Dennis Leupold-4

    Is Mariah Carey finally about to release her ‘lost’ grunge album?

    In her 2020 memoir, ‘The Meaning Of Mariah Carey’, the diva revealed that she worked on the project secretively in the mid-1990s, alongside the recording of her fifth studio album, ‘Daydream’ (1995).

  • EXCLUSIVES
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    Cascada Studio 24 Handout-4

    Cascada on her Studio 54-inspired new album and 20 years of global hits [Exclusive]

    As they return with their fifth album, Cascada’s Natalie Horler looks back on 20 years of hits and reacts to her recent interview that went viral online.

    Nicki French Who, What, Where Handout Energise-4

    Nicki French considered Eurovision return with new album track: ‘Would they really go for a 60 year old singer… again?’ [Exclusive]

    As she returns with her new album, Nicki French reveals she almost submitted one track into the running for next year’s Eurovision.

    Pixie Lott Encino Press Handout-4

    Pixie Lott talks new album Encino: ‘When you fall into your authentic self, that’s when the magic happens’ [Exclusive]

    A decade after releasing her self-titled third album, Pixie Lott returns with a body of work that reflects the place she’s at in her life today.

    Betty Boo Rip Up The Rulebook Credit Sandro Hyams-4

    Betty Boo: ‘It’s a philosophy that I have to not let anybody tell you that you can’t be who you want to be!’ [Exclusive]

    As she returns with her epic new album ‘Rip Up The Rulebook’, Betty Boo opens up about creating her most diverse work to date.

  • NEW MUSIC
  • REVIEWS
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    Alexis Strum Swim

    Alexis Strum – Swim

    Alison Goldfrapp Flux AG Records

    Alison Goldfrapp – Flux

    Tom Aspaul Cabin Fever Artwork

    Tom Aspaul – Cabin Fever

    Kim Wilde Closer Artwork Cherry Red

    Kim Wilde – Closer

  • CAUGHT LIVE
  • FUTUREPOP
  • RELEASE RADAR
Home Reviews

Sean Smith – Swing For The 90’s

Connor Gotto by Connor Gotto
April 15, 2021
in Reviews
Sean Smith - Swing For The 90's

SP Music

41
SHARES
410
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

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. 

Don't Miss...

Jack Savoretti shares new song Do It For Love, announces Royal Albert Hall show

Scissor Sisters working on first new material in over a decade

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.

Connor Gotto

Connor Gotto

Founder and editor of RETROPOP. Self-proclaimed pop aficionado. Usually seen with a wine in hand.

More Like This

Jack Savoretti Do It For Love Press Handout Aleksandar Crnogorac-4
New Music

Jack Savoretti shares new song Do It For Love, announces Royal Albert Hall show

by Connor Gotto
October 10, 2025
Scissor Sisters 2024 Reunion Tour Credit Kevin Tachman Press Handout-4
News

Scissor Sisters working on first new material in over a decade

by Connor Gotto
October 10, 2025
Sigala Leigh-Anne Jonita Hello Press Handout-4
New Music

Leigh-Anne helps Sigala launch new era on Hello

by Connor Gotto
October 7, 2025
Louis Tomlinson Liam Payne Netflix Handout Credit Dennis Leupold-4
News

One Direction stars reunite for new project

by Connor Gotto
October 7, 2025
Cyndi Lauper 2024 Handout Credit Ruven Afanador-4
News

Cyndi Lauper headed to Las Vegas for first-ever residency

by Connor Gotto
October 7, 2025

Follow Us

The RETROPOP Edit

Never miss a story - sign up to RETROPOP's Daily Edit newsletter for free!

Please wait...

You're in! Keep an eye on your inbox for all the latest!

The Latest

Jack Savoretti Do It For Love Press Handout Aleksandar Crnogorac-4

Jack Savoretti shares new song Do It For Love, announces Royal Albert Hall show

October 10, 2025
Scissor Sisters 2024 Reunion Tour Credit Kevin Tachman Press Handout-4

Scissor Sisters working on first new material in over a decade

October 10, 2025
Sigala Leigh-Anne Jonita Hello Press Handout-4

Leigh-Anne helps Sigala launch new era on Hello

October 7, 2025
RETROPOP No. 31 : Sept '24
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
Change privacy settings
MEDIA KIT

RETROPOP participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.

Copyright © 2025 Irresistible. All rights reserved.

  • Home
    • Home – Layout 1
    • Home – Layout 2
    • Home – Layout 3
  • News
  • Fashion

© 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

CloseMenu

New issue out now

SHOP HERE