If its not broken, why try and fix it? This is the overriding sentiment one is struck with while listening to Lewis Capaldis sophomore album, 2023s yearningly romantic Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent. The follow-up to his commercially successful debut, 2019s Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent, Broken by Desire is full of the same kind of emotive, piano-driven balladry that helped make previous singles like "Someone You Loved" and "Before You Go" memorably chart-topping U.K. hits. Working with the same cadre of trusted songwriter/producers, including TMS, Phil Plested, Nick Atkinson, and Edd Holloway, among others, Capaldi brings a similarly earnest, open-hearted approach to his work here. Tracks like "Wishing You the Best," "Pointless," and the unexpectedly clubby "Forget Me" are soundtrack-ready anthems that nicely showcase Capaldis throaty croon. ~ Matt Collar
Rovi
初作『Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent』が記録的なヒットとなったルイスだが、このセカンド・アルバムに向けた先行シングル群もTMSの手掛けた"Forget Me"と"Wish You The Best"など3曲連続で全英1位をマークする強さを見せていて、本作での失速を心配する必要はなさそうだ。エド・シーランもコライトしたスティーヴ・マック制作の"Pointless"のほか、簡素なピアノやギターと劇的なストリングスをバックにあの声で熱唱される楽曲はどれも最高の出来で申し分なし。ただ、どう聴いてもプリンス"Purple Rain"を下絵にしたような"Leave Me Slowly"だけは少し心配にならなくもないけど……。
bounce (C)大原かおり
タワーレコード(vol.474(2023年5月25日発行号)掲載)
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