On a night when I’m not at my best, there are moments on ‘Change of Plan’ that still capture my attention. This 14-track collection from Sarah Louise is an assortment of sounds and genres. A selection box of different flavours from Country to Pop, Jazz to Folk. It is hard to pin her down, but the versatility of her voice ensures that this is no bad thing. Rather, we are treated to a meandering journey through many emotions and experiences that somehow amass into a cohesive whole.
The gentle touch of ‘Better Be Lightning’ and ‘Cup of Coffee’ set the album up as a Folk-inspired, partly-introspective walk through nature before ‘Be Real’ kicks in bits of reggae, RnB, and African-inspired rhythm to throw the first surprise into the air. ‘Just For You’ then brings proceedings back down to a piano-led ballad suited to a stage Musical, followed by an acoustic guitar-focused tragedy poignant in both its music and lyrics.
Tongue-in-cheek ‘Sorry Not Sorry’ pervades with an emerging theme of freedom which becomes ever clearer in ‘I Ain’t Got The Time’ – the piano and acoustic guitar being the two main instruments used to help put her stories across with suitable effect. Then comes the biggest surprise and standout song on the album: ‘The Smile’. Transported to a speakeasy instantly by the tinkling piano and light-hearted saxophone, this atmospheric song is gorgeous in its simplicity and captivating in its sound. Unexpected amongst the other genres on display so far, it offers a different side to Sarah Louise’s talents and perhaps makes it even more special in this context.
The album returns to a standard Folk tune with ‘Part of the Story’ before entering into more ethereal territory with ‘I Am Angel’ and ‘Roundabout’. This direction into alt-pop is again an unanticipated but interesting one. The latter is especially fascinating and works well as a final track (though bonus songs ‘All I Need’ and ‘Sorry Not Sorry (Live Version)’ follow) to wrap up a collection that keeps the listener on their toes.
Sarah Louise is definitely what you’d called an undefined artist. But here, on ‘Change of Plan’, that is part of her charm.
‘Change of Plan’ is out on 28th March 2024 and can be ordered here.
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Featured Image (C) Sarah Louise/Scarlet River PR
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