Album Review: Rosie Lowe - YU

There’s a deftness of touch on Rosie Lowe’s second album which, considering the heavy feting her debut, Control, attracted in 2016, will be a relief to those already on board. And for newcomers, it’s easy to slink in on her vibes.

Here, Lowe’s headspace is steeped in nostalgia for '70s funk and soul, with a lyrical hint of Stevie Wonder-ment in Birdsong (“I don’t want to be your part-time lover…”). And while this reviewer was enjoying a definitely digital copy of the album, a careful ear leant to Pharaoh reveals subtle vinyl crackling added to the production, bringing a swaddling warmth to the lolloping funk-soul. The Way’s six minutes feels like two songs in one, with a sensual lyric building up to a powerful climax, leading into Jay Electronica’s laidback rhymes, which pay tribute to his lover in the comedown. This fierce, unapologetic femininity mixed with tightly reigned production makes YU a comfortable bedfellow with Chris' (FKA Christine & The Queens) classy yet thrusting self-titled effort. With the down-tempo disco humidity of UEMM, the three 90 second-or-so sketches and ghostly closer Apologise, YU proves to be a richly atmospheric experience.