Amali Ward's debut album proves that the young songstress has progressed past her early Australian Idol foundations, taking with her its strong pop sensibility to mix with her own style of Motown-era soul, her knack for songwriting and a sharp backing band.
Opening track and first single Leave Me Alone sets the tone for the rest of the album. With an upbeat chorus full of smooth harmonies and scorching vocals it moves with the swing of session drums and bass, a bit like Jessica Mauboy or Guy Sebastian's The Memphis Album sound.
Track two and second single Knock You Out packs more of a punch, driving forward with socially loaded lyrics in a passionate protest against the common bogan, touching on sexuality and racial sensitivity. Although quite a few of Ward's tracks come with a social message, she doesn't belt you over the head with them – they're slotted in against a sugary, pop backdrop and sometimes come across as a bit half-baked.
Victim Of Love is reminiscent of a Taylor Swift love ballad; indeed the whole album could be aimed at an intelligent teen audience. The cheeky lyrics of Prettier Than Me flip any preconceptions about the song, while Come Inside is a sassy, modern day version of jazz hit Baby It's Cold Outside.
Although Ward's lyrics and repetitive hooks don't add up to an amazing album, the old-school soul sound is endearing and refreshing in a mainstream setting and the highlight of the album, closing ballad Black Dog is wonderful. It's filled with great syncopation, organ trills and a bit of length to allow Ward to get into some seriously soulful ad-libs.
Amali Ward has released an invigoratingly catchy pop and pastel soul record that you'll have stuck in your head before the second track has even begun.
