2023 opened with an industry award and may end with an award pending. The song 'Car Crash' has served Hannah White well; SWEET REVOLUTION may serve her better. Of course recognised acclaim is the icing that favours artists on many fronts. For fans the prize is a little closer to home when a cherished record is opened, savoured and lavishly enjoyed. Likewise artists thrive on opportunities to promote their music in new places whereas the path is simpler for the listener; turn on, tune in and take what you can from the riches on offer. Hannah White has laced her new album with vast riches and gets one of the most fundamental things right: killer songs.
Great records are threaded with numerous hooks to guide the listener on an invited journey. White honed in on three songs to front an album bestowed with the most glorious of melodic interaction. The first single 'Chain of Ours' smoothes the path to receptive ear via a charismatic chorus awash with a melting melody. You sensed a winning formula was in hand when an instant connection was made. 'One Night Stand' was next in line to cast its spell. Once again a chorus evoking harmony heaven bubbles over to devour the listener with a succulent sound. Great albums are well served by a track that flourishes in a live setting. 'Right on Time' was the final teaser, and nifty foot shuffler in the making, with its singalong ditty sentiment enriching the shows played ahead of the formal unveiling.
So with the hooks in place, how does the rest fit? For the record, there are eight other tracks forming a 42-minute running time. In line with the entire album, all are Hannah White solo writes, thus evidencing that we are in the midst of seriously fine songwriter as well as somebody so capable at expressing their music. As usual her sidekick in both work and life Kieron Marshall is at the heart of the guitar input, while the production duties are handed to Michele Stodart; a key companion both in the studio and when taking the show on the road.
So back to the question concerning the other parts. Starting at the end sees the services of Ricky Ross enlisted to sing duet on 'A Separation'. This relationship is a continuation of a mutual respect grown from the offer to open shows for Deacon Blue in the past. The contribution here is a heartfelt ballad rising as a bold beauty to close this chapter. Shades of country without the label.
Rewinding back to the beginning, there is the grey area of the album getting off to a slow start. There may be theme reasons for 'Hail the Fighter' to get things underway, but one of the singles would have grasped the intro spot more. The album does burst into life with the subsequent track as things start getting truly autobiographical in 'Ordinary Woman'. Any exposure to Hannah White will be candid in its revelation imprinting the song title alongside the lyrics 'what you get is what you see' and the most humble 'I'm nothing special'. The last notion is true to a degree, but there is still a warranted gap in specialty between artistic creation and the humble listener.
Appealing albums can mix a slice of familiarity with variety. 'The Aftershow' rolls out as a soulful rocker with a sultry underbelly. You could envisage this being lifted from one of the early (Dixie) Chicks albums. Another track that challenges the norm is the inventive and different 'One Foot', here the stringed accompaniment expands with violin which also features on a couple of other tracks as well. On the topic of instrument diversity, pedal steel appears on 'Rosa' courtesy of Holly Carter, who picked up her UK AMA UK Instrumentalist of the Year award on the same evening as 'Car Crash' was acclaimed as UK Single of the Year.
The final two tracks to complete the collection both have a grower element to them. 'Clementine' in the latter stages is one that needs a little time spent on. It rolls out as a story song with a strong element of gender re-balance, while meaningfully lifting the term 'revolution' from the title into the chorus. 'River Run' will benefit from a few listens as its down tempo feel draws you into the lyrics.
This record, the 5th Hannah White album that you can easily access, hugely benefits from involvement with The Last Music Company. A compact set of musicians have lent a hand to the recording process including familiar names from the live circuit such as Emma Holbrook on drums. As a team they have rallied around White's core ability to exude a substantial bunch of evolutionary songs.
SWEET REVOLUTION is an album steered by stellar choruses and is set to be lapped up by serious music fans smitten by hard edged songs possessing a glossy sheen. Hannah White continues to grasp the mettle of turning real life experiences into lasting music that ultimately enhances the listening process.