Rita Ora - You and I

  by Nick Dent-Robinson

published: 30 / 8 / 2023

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Rita Ora released her debut album in 2012 and since then she has kept herself in the public eye primarily through her appearances on ‘The Voice’, ‘The X Factor’ and ‘The Masked Singer’ plus some film roles and the release of some singles and EPs. There was also one studio album in 2018, ‘Phoenix’ where some felt she was rather over-shadowed by collaborators like Avicii, Liam Payne and Cardi B. During that same eleven year period since 2012 others have produced far more records (like Taylor Swift's ten albums - including three re-recordings and Lana Del Rey's seven!). But the 32 year-old Rita has at last now released her third album – ‘You & I’ - and it is a good one! She has co-written every track and has been far more involved in production, too. The tracks comprise a nice collection of pop tunes and revealing ballads which put the focus fully on her. R & B producer Oak Felder has made an impressive contribution and this new album is a fully-rounded, very commercial record. Last year Rita married Oscar-winning film director Taika Waititi and the first part of the new album charts phases of their relationship to a backdrop of house, garage and disco. ‘Don't Think Twice’ revels in the thrill of new love and ‘You Only Love Me’ includes some affectionate voice notes from Waititi. The 1980s-style title track was written the morning after her nuptials and in it Rita name-checks a series of classic love songs like ‘Sweet Caroline’ and ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’. The most intimate moments of the new album, however, come as Rita Ora reflects on her background. Rita was born to Albanian parents in what is today Kosovo and in 1991 her family fled the country's war-torn capital Pristina as refugees to end up in London's Notting Hill. The bittersweet ‘Shape Of Me’ is a beautifully-sung account of how Rita's outlook still reflects her mother's strong survival instincts and the closing ballads ‘Notting Hill’ and ‘I Don't Wanna Be Your Friend”’pack a tender and emotional punch. Throughout ‘You & I’ Rita Ora explores a range of moods whilst making the most of her impressive and powerful voice. It is an album that reaffirms Rita's credentials as the great performer she is. She deserves great success with it!

Track Listing:-

1 Don't Think Twice
2 You Only Love Me
3 Praising You
4 Unfeel It
5 Waiting For You
6 You & I
7 That Girl
8 Shape Of Me
9 Look At Me Now
10 Girl In The Mirror
11 Notting Hill
12 I Don't Wanna Be Your Friend

Band Links:-

https://ritaora.com/
https://www.facebook.com/RitaOra/
https:://www.twitter.com/ritaora

Label Links:-

https://www.bmg.com/uk/
https://www.facebook.com/BMGRM
https://twitter.com/BMG
https://www.facebook.com/bmgchrysalisuk
https://twitter.com/bmguk

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