Your next favourite pop star Bianca James has just dropped her namesake debut album via Gypsy Soul Records, on August 4th, 2023. With her smoky and satisfying vocals tied into bass-driven jazzy melodies, there is no doubt James’ tunes will spark feelings of lust and longing once raised by the greats like Amy Winehouse and Adele. Big shoes to fill, but she is clearly determined to grow into them.
There is a Bond villain vibe in her songs, and you’ll find it the most in the third track Bang Bang Baby and its femme fatale lyrics backed by sexy hot-blooded horns. Following the third track, she slows it down with Til I Remember, a solemn song with gentle piano and backups reminiscent of a famous Hozier song.The seventh track, Made to Love, courageously opens up like a hair-metal band ballad, catching the listener off guard. The track then flows into a gorgeous sorta-love song with a landscape of sound that reaches out in layers, echoing and overlapping, resembling the complicated relationship she is singing about.The real stand-out track is number two, Monaco. It feels like a car chase on the French Riviera, and you’re Carmen SanDiego in the getaway car. It is high-energy and pop rocks in Coke. Songs are always the best when they take you somewhere.
Bianca James is a sonic travel agent ready to whisk you away to cigar-smoke-filled bars with red velvet seating. You’ll see turquoise oceans, all-white buildings and every-shade-of-pink sunsets with purple undertones. All hyphens, all glorious.
