- Artist
- Siobhan Donaghy
- Label
- Parlophone
- Release date
- 25th June 2007
- Genre
- Pop
Ex-Sugababe stakes second solo career claim on Cocteau Twins-style sophisto-pop
Despite walking out on her band way back in 2001, it remains difficult not to think of Donaghy as an "ex-Sugababe". This wasn't helped by her re-invention as a serious solo artist in 2003. The release of her underwhelming indie-pop album Revolution In Me was received with all-round indifference.
2007’s version of the flame-haired Londoner is a stab at grown-up pop heavily influenced by the first ladies of maverick British pop: Kate Bush, Alison Goldfrapp and Liz Fraser (Cocteau Twins). Ghosts’ eccentric but radio-friendly, trip-hop/folktronica arrangements and fluttery vocal flourishes are satisfyingly disconcerting at first, and the sophisticated sheen of recent single Don’t Give It Up and There’s A Place really do evoke thoughts of a fantasy Sugababes / Cocteau Twins collaboration.
However, once this new direction’s novelty has worn off, Ghosts lacks substance. Melodies soon cease to haunt your memory while Donaghy’s voice, while pleasing, falls short of the ethereal beauty of those heroines mentioned above. Still, this is a brave return from a developing artist it is easy to forget is still only 23 years old. Mutya played it much safer than this.
More to try: Goldfrapp: Felt Mountain Cocteau Twins: Heaven Or Las Vegas Kate Bush: Hounds Of Love
