sat 05/10/2024

CD: The Corrs - White Light | reviews, news & interviews

CD: The Corrs - White Light

CD: The Corrs - White Light

Nostalgia and nonsense on Irish siblings' big return

The Corrs, still pairing traditional Irish folk with contemporary pop

Say what you like about The Corrs, there was never any denying their talent – or the voice of raven-haired youngest sister Andrea, fronting the familial quartet with ferocity and grace. It’s why it’s so disappointing that White Light – the band’s first album in a decade – begins with egregious autotune and woeful EDM-by-numbers.

As far back as “Runaway” (released in September 1995) the band always tried to pair the instruments and flourishes of traditional Irish folk music with whatever was happening in the charts – but given the extent to which contemporary pop is itself looking backwards to the dance floors of the late 1970s and early 1980s, the criss-crossing musical time travel here is exhausting to follow. The result is an album which contains some of The Corrs’ most nostalgic tracks to date – “Ellis Island”, “Harmony” and “Gerry’s Reel”, a skittish instrumental dedicated to the siblings’ late father – as well as at least one disco chorus and an intro ripped from Katy Perry’s “Firework”.

“I Do What I Like” sounds like the bad karaoke version of an empowerment anthem, all awkward rhymes about paradise and beachy sound effects; while lead single “Bring on the Night” is custom-made for the Radio 2 drivetime playlist. Title track “White Light” – apparently a tribute to Amy Winehouse – is almost saved from its high school lyrics by an epic chorus and some glorious harmonies, while Sharon’s strings and a celestial vocal performance lift “Kiss of Life” just above the middle of the road. The stripped-back, piano-led “Ellis Island” – a gentle potted history of 19th century Irish emigration that you can’t help but hear as political – is a chills-down-the-spine moment though, and perhaps a hint that next year’s reunion tour won’t just be a nostalgia trip.

@lastyearsgirl_

Overleaf: hear new single "Bring on the Night"

 


The criss-crossing musical time travel here is exhausting to follow

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Editor Rating: 
3
Average: 3 (1 vote)

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Comments

Who is this 'journalist'?! I have listened to this album myself and its a mini masterpiece. The album so far has been rather critically well acclaimed by respected figures in the industry. I'm not sure what you were listening to...

LOL.

Critically well acclaimed? By who?? I used to love The Corrs, but this album is *not* getting good reviews other than on download sites, like iTunes. Such a shame.

Personally I think the album is a masterpiece. I Do What I Like, White Light, Harmony & Ellis Island are superb songs that are constantly on repeat. It's not an instant album and does take a few listens to gel I will admit, but those albums usually end up being repeat listens.

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