Little Red
Vocalist/songwriter Katy B culled through more than 40 songs for the follow-up to her Mercury Prize–nominated 2011 debut, *On a Mission*, and the result is a vibrant collection of dance-oriented pop with remarkable emotional depth. Produced primarily by frequent collaborator Geeneus, *Little Red* is filled with peak-hour sounds—offering everything from the bristling house of the aptly named “5 AM” to the techno-influenced throb of “I Like You”. But there’s more to Katy B than dance floor domination: “Crying for No Reason” is a soaring ballad that nods to classic Madonna, the duet with Jessie Ware (“Aaliyah”) offers a jealousy-fueled clubland psychodrama while the seductive melody of “Everything” is a subtly crafted, deliriously catchy highlight.
The singer's full-length follow-up to her influential 2011 album On a Mission finds her trying to write a new chapter in the story of post-millennial British pop: the artist who exploded out of the London underground and then crafted a sustainable career on her own terms, without relying on newer trends or reliable pop heavyweights.
Three years since her debut, South London's Kathleen Brien returns with a record that raises the bar for UK pop.
A whopping 17 tracks on this, the second album from the Brit School graduate, offers value but, as is increasingly the case with major label releases, puts quantity before quality. Coming three years after refreshing debut On a Mission, an extended running time contributes to a certain lack of spark and misses the genre-crossing exploration that suggested Kathleen Brien had identity beyond the 'feat. Katy B' credits that had kick-started her career.
Album review: Katy B - 'Little Red'. The second album from the Mercury Prize nominee should see her reach the dance stratosphere...
Katy B's authentic dancefloor savvy now comes with a few more cares of the world, writes <strong>Kitty Empire</strong>
On Little Red, the consequences of Katy B’s aloofness are starting to hit home, if only in the moment.
<p>Divided between the dancefloor and the break-up, Katy B's attempt to show us her mature side falls short, writes <strong>Tim Jonze</strong></p>
Katy B's new album, Little Red, finds meaningful connections in club-friendly songs with real heart, says Helen Brown