Mark Ronson’s used the term “sad bangers” to describe his fifth album’s contents.
Wonderfully, lead singles Nothing Breaks Like A Heart, which exploits Miley Cyrus’ Tennessee twang to reinvent Dolly Parton’s Jolene for the clubbing generation, and the title track, which showcases Lykke Li’s sorrowful vocal to update 1970s disco, suit the terminology.
Lykke smoulders, too, on the poignant 2 AM, but on Find U Again Camila Cabello slurs in a tipsy rather than sexy manner, while YEBBA’s attention-grabbing Minnie Ripperton mimicry twists itself around Knock Knock Knock’s slippery bassline, but her melismatic style is less distinctive on Don’t Leave Me Lonely.
Still, Angel Olsen’s gloomy vocal is layered over a Running Up That Hill rhythm with notable success, and Alicia Keys yelps winningly over Truth’s groove.
7/10
Wyndham Wallace