Album Review: Neneh Cherry - Blank Project

Not capitalising on the phenomenal success that Raw Like Sushi garnered, Neneh Cherry's illustrious career has only delivered sporadic releases over the intervening years. Blank Project is Cherry's first album of original material in almost 18 years. Recorded in just five days this album seeks to capture a rough and raw energy that doesn't give producer Four Tet the opportunity to overthink the mix. Cherry's collaborators, RocketNumberNine provide her with minimal electro synths and loose vibing beats that aim to work understated dance floors but it's Cherry's vocals that prowl at the centre of everything. As she moves from toasting her menstrual cycle on the helter skelter of the title track to acknowledging the obscenity of the day-to-day “bullshit that gets up your nose” on the chilled 422, Cherry still has plenty of honest, streetwise attitude. The woman who was once friends with Ari Up seems nostalgic for her post-punk Rip Rig & Panic roots but there's nothing retro about this album; it's all in the attitude. Across this album, Cherry expresses grave concern for an uncertain future. Across The Water is a spoken word piece about decaying society while the somewhat joyous machinations of Weightless spend up big but talk of economic woe. Out Of The Black, a collaboration with Swedish compatriot Robyn, is a darkly glittering electro-tech-pop work-out. Cherry defies expectation but coming at us from unexpected tangents she provides satisfying listening.