Releasing just one album of original material in 14 years is not exactly the mark of a prolific artist. But when you’re a star of the calibre and reach of George Michael it almost beggars belief. Even making allowances for his well-publicised troubles with both his record company and his er, zipper, his staying power is surely unique in recent music history. That lack of output might go some way towards explaining the title of Michael’s first album proper since 1996’s Older, which in itself came five years after his previous outing, Listen Without Prejudice.
Was it worth the wait? Fans of his polished funky dancefloor workouts and soulful ballads will have plenty to cheer about here but casual listeners will find little new to draw them in. If anything he is even more melancholic than on Older, which saw him mature in leaps and bounds from the frivolity of Wham’s output. The opening title track is yet another of his increasingly typical reflective ballads with just piano accompaniment and his magnificent voice effortlessly soaring the highs and lows. Another sombre ballad, ‘My Mother Had A Brother’ is based on the true story of his suicidal uncle who apparently took his life on the day Michael was born – something he only found out recently. More upbeat is the current single ‘Amazing’ a familiar slice of catchy urban pop of the kind we have come to expect from him. A potential future single ‘American Angel’ is a complex but gorgeously constructed tune not unlike ‘Jesus To A Child’ (from Older) while the jazzy, syncopated ‘Please Send Me Someone’ is yet another potential radio favourite. The emotionally charged final track, ‘Through’ is clearly influenced by Marvin Gaye’s ‘Just To Keep You Satisfied’, which also closes his classic Let’s Get It On album.
The production is of course pristine and the playing stellar throughout if a little lacking in natural textures and, well, excitement.
Patience might be a virtue but you gotta have faith to truly love this one.