Album Review: Long Live the Angels - Emeli Sande

There's something uniquely special about Emeli Sande. Like many I have been impatiently waiting for her sophomore album, and the good news - it was worth the wait. "Long Live the Angels" is a beautiful piece of art.

As wonderfully brilliant as, "Our Version Of Events" was, "Long Live the Angels" is a superior album. Sandi has grown as an artist, her brilliant voice has matured and grown stronger, and her lyrics are getting stronger - I guess heartbreak can do that. There is a grand sophistication to these songs and to Ms Sandi herself. She is a true beauty, in body, soul and mind.

And can we please talk about her voice? It's ridiculous, in the best possible way. It is rich and deep, and emotes so perfectly. You feel all these gorgeous lyrics because of the pain and joy Sandi produces with her voice. Not many people can sing as well as her, and when she hits those high notes, your heart soars.

First single, "Hurts", is still on high rotation for me. It is luscious and powerful. That hard clap track brings a unique quality to the track and the power of Sandi's words and voice makes us share her pain. It is simply one of the best songs of 2016.

Second single, "Breathing Underwater" is also stunning. It's an eloquent song of hope, that has some great lyrics, "Something like freedom, I'm breathing underwater". And the choir at the end is simply beautiful.

There's so many other great songs as well. "Give Me Something" has a true beauty, so much yearning
 and a lovely build. "Shakes" has this graceful vulnerability and "Lonely" has a playful quality to the start. There are just so many beautiful ballads, like "Sweet Architect" and "Kung Fu" are just lovely in so many ways. Then there's the songs with a little more production, they are also great and make me want to dance. "Garden" is such a unique tune, the spoken section is hypnotising and the hard beat is flawless.

There's is something innately likable about Emeli Sandi, she is a true artist. She doesn't need bells and whistles, this is about talent - and that she has in spades. "Long Live the Angels" is quite simply beautiful.