You & I (Signed Zine)＜タワーレコード限定＞

Her most fully realized and vulnerable effort to date, You & I carries Rita Ora into the future with a collection of songs that celebrate new love and self-acceptance. Following 2018s excellent sophomore set The Phoenix, the long gap between full-lengths results in a bevy of new experiences for Ora to sing about as she enters another phase of life. The front half of the album is loaded with the big pop moments, such as the one-two punch of the euphoric opening run "Dont Think Twice" and "You Only Love Me," peaking with album highlight "Praising You," which interpolates Fatboy Slims "Praise You" to the intended joyous effect. "Waiting for You" hits a similar sweet spot, sounding like an Avicii chart-topper that could level a festival audience. Throwback synths shimmer on "That Girl" -- which borrows from Rick James classic "Party All the Time" -- and haunt on the dark, confused "Unfeel It." For the closing run of You & I (almost a full half of the total tracks on the deluxe edition), most of the energy has been expended and its time for the ballads and midtempo sentimentality. While the best of the bunch appeared earlier on track six as the dramatic but triumphant 80s ballad "You & I," songs like "Look at Me Now" and "I Dont Wanna Be Your Friend" push the emotion (and Oras vocals) to the fore like a Sia production. Facing her fears and taking the plunge, Ora dances and pines her way through soulful depths and exciting highs. You & I is a nourishing, adult examination of love and relationships that matures the singer and her catalog in the process. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

なかなかアルバムに至らない人だが、今回も相当待たされてのサード・アルバム。ファットボーイ・スリムをネタ使いした先行カット"Praising You"の飛び道具感はありつつ、幕開けの"Don't Think Twice"などパワフルな歌唱の支配力はそのままに品格を増したダンス・トラックが存分に楽しめる。そんな成熟を支えるのはオークらの手腕で、歌い上げ系のバラードも絶品だ。
bounce (C)轟ひろみ