Joan Armatrading - Consequences.

Joan Armatrading

Consequences

(BMG)

8/10

By Paul Davies



Having reached her three score and ten, there’s no sign of Joan Armatrading falling back on old familiar ground on this her 22nd studio album. Instead, Armatrading softly embraces technology as she advances her exploration into new territory on this highly accomplished and confident record. 

Taking full control by writing, performing, and producing Consequences, it’s Joan’s strong vocals which stand out like a dazzling lighthouse steering in established fans to her emotionally aware musical ports of call. It’s also an album that will guide in a younger audience who follow the singer songwriters that emerged in the wake of Joan’s, and many other notable female solo artists, hard crafted footsteps. 

A reverbed drum machine kicks in as Natural Rhythm begins studio album twenty-two as Armatrading’s familiar voice heralds Consequences updated sonic approach. Ever coy about her private life, Already There and To Be Loved reflects universal emotional truths; no doubt drawn from personal experience.

Not all is so serious as the fun ska feel on Better Life intonates with a bouncy rhythm supporting the song’s questing idealism. Spreading her talents like an exotic bird does its shimmering wings in ascending flight, piano and percussive beats create a loose and sparse soundscape to the ballads Glorious Madness and Like. Again, Armatrading translates matters of the heart and the soul with a seemingly ancient wisdom.

A similar elemental approach is taken on the strident title track that’s imbued with a subtle modern jazz undertow found here, and elsewhere, on this uplifting recording 

Not the shredding heavy metal album she wishes to make one day. Nevertheless, she’s clearly impelled by an experimental drive as revealed on this recording. Expanding her boundaries, this immersive album about common love and emotional growth commands massive respect. 

This is Joan as everywoman on a solo album in its truest sense.