Tanita Tikaram: This Perfect Friend ★★★★★
This Perfect Friend marks the welcome return to music making by the talented Tanita Tikaram
It’s been 37 years since Tanita Tikaram first caught the public attention with her first single, the infectious folk-pop of Good Tradition. Since that time, across the course of nine studio albums, she has explored and expanded her musical course, embracing electronica on The Cappuccino Songs and more of a jazz feel on Sentimental and her most recent album, the excellent Closer to the People.
Today, dropping her first single in nine years, This Perfect Friend instantly confirms it has been well worth the wait. With a sophisticated backing of insistent strings, there is urgency to the track as well as a hypnotic spell. Melodically, it gives Radiohead vibes albeit played with chamber orchestration and piano.
“Who is the one /
who lies with you /
denies my sleeping /
and the night belonging to”
Her voice now warm, rich and lived in, Tikaram’s vocals are noticeably more foregrounded than hitherto. Displaying a maturity and a heartfelt lyricism, the singer restlessly agitates upon irrepressible and very present concerns. A teaser video showing a relentless montage of a political rogues’ gallery (Trump, Musk, Johnson, Vance, Starmer) may elucidate the source of the disturbance.
This Perfect Friend is a striking return from a reinvigorated musical artist, fully engaging with the world around her. If this heralds the quality of songwriting of her forthcoming album, LIAR (out 10 Oct), this should mark Tikaram getting the musical respect and recognition that is long overdue to her.
★★★★★
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