Emeli Sandé - Real Life
by Zena Grieg
published: 22 / 10 / 2019

Label:
Virgin EMI
Format: CD
intro
Eclectic and empowering third album from award-winning scottish songwiter Emeli Sandé
The release of ‘Real Life’, her third album, sees the Scottish songwriter and instrumentalist Emeli Sandé explore new territory while still retaining her own authentic style. The four-time BRIT Award-winner has had an illustrious career to date. Highlights have included appearing with Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Bastille and Sam Smith at the opening and closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympics, writing songs for Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Katy Perry and Tinie Tempah, being awarded an MBE for services to music and even managing to break into the Billboard Hot 100 in America with a previous single, ‘Next to Me’. All the lyrics on ‘Real Life’ were written by Sandé in collaboration with Salaam Remi, James Poyser and Troy Miller, who produced every song. The album uses more eclectic instrumentation than previously and it features organ interplays, acoustic guitars and the London Community Gospel Choir. Like Emeli’s other two albums, the roots are in mature pop, but the seamless integration of other styles and genres – reggae, blues, disco and more gospel – adds a multi-faceted and unique layer. Emeli Sandé's intent with ‘Real Life’ is to inspire "hope and confidence", particularly for those "who have been marginalised, forgotten or kicked down by this invisible oppression that's always there.” The soaring ‘You Are Not Alone’ has the singer, flanked by a choir, marking a return to the anthemic sound that made Sandé a star. Lead single ‘Sparrow’ is an empowering track showcasing the singer’s dynamic voice, as does the sermonic, R&B and gospel-flavoured ‘Survivor.’ The piano ballad ‘Honest’, a reminder never to take anything for granted - especially the people you love, is one of the most emotive songs of Emeli Sande’s career. A pulsating disco beat pervades the soulful ‘Shine’ and the cinematic, string-led ‘Free as a Bird’ closes this uplifting kaleidoscope of sound. ‘Real Life’ is a remarkable album!
Track Listing:-
1 Human2 Love To Help
3 You Are Not Alone
4 Shine
5 Sparrow
6 Honest
7 Survivor
8 Extraordinary Being
9 Same Old Feeling
10 Real Life
11 Free As A Bird
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