PALOMA FAITH - SINGER, SONGWRITER & SONIC ACTIVIST
By DJ FR8-O
Samuel L. Jackson has appeared in over 100 films during his extensive acting career, but his most inspiring performance yet can be found in one of the most unexpected places. No, not in those cheesy credit card commercials. I’m referring to the opening interlude of Paloma Faith’s fourth album, The Architect. His rousing spoken-word piece called “Evolution” lets you know right away that this isn’t just another typical Paloma Faith heartbreak marathon like her previous multi-platinum offerings. Constructed from the ground up with a foundation of soul pop and solid songwriting, Faith has added some social commentary into the mix this time, and it could be the move that finally cements her as one of the planet’s most significant recording artists.
Touching on topics like the Brexit vote (she is from the UK after all), the immigration crisis and political injustice, Faith weaves each song with such artistic finesse they could just as easily be about the rise and fall of love and relationships. One thing that hasn’t changed since her 2014 masterpiece A Perfect Contradiction, is her gift for designing hook-heavy pop anthems laced with classic R&B and disco. She’s also enlisted a crew of experienced music muscle to help with the heavy lifting, like producers Starsmith (Ellie Goulding, Kylie Minogue, Clean Bandit) and Jesse Shatkin (Kelly Clarkson, Fitz and the Tantrums, One Direction). Not to mention the “Titanium” hit maker herself, Sia.
You would think that all these “top chefs” might end up spoiling the whole meal by throwing together a handful of unrelated singles just so they could add their personal signature to the dish, but The Architect is just the opposite. Even with the wide range of styles sprinkled throughout the collection, Faith’s distinctive voice ties them all together seamlessly, like a well-written story filled with just the right balance of highs and lows. From the James Bond-esque title track to the heart-wrenching “Guilty,” to the poppy “Kings and Queens” to the sultry minimalistic “My Body,” the former The Voice UK judge takes you through all the feels and back flawlessly.
In a recent press statement, Faith explained that she “wanted to look outside of myself. I’m coming at politics from the perspective of the common man or woman, observing why people are suffering. On previous albums, I’ve been more concerned with the past, but now I’m looking forward because of motherhood and wanting to change things for a better future. It’s a marriage of old and new.” Everywhere we look, entertainers are injecting their political views into their work. Screenwriters do it in their films and TV shows, actors slip it into their acceptance speeches, but infusing socio-political messages into pop music can be a risky move even for the most praised artist. Remember Madonna’s American Life? In this case, the result is a provocative yet entertaining collection of sonically impressive tracks that – like the skyscrapers that tower over major cities around the world – could elevate our definition of popular music. Rhythm Nation, Part II anyone?
If you’re a recording artist, producer or musician and would like your work featured in TOP TRAX, hit me up at abarrios@wiremag.com.
This was originally published in Wire Magazine Issue 11.2018