Emeli Sandé, Garden | Track Review 🎵

Emeli Sandé shines on the second single from her upcoming sophomore album Long Live the Angels, “Garden,” featuring Jay Electronica and Àine Zion.

After a four-year hiatus, the 29-year old singer/songwriter Emeli Sandé returns with her sophomore album, Long Live the Angels. Sandé first built buzz with promo single “Hurts”, which was nothing short of flawless. She follows up “Hurts” with “Garden,” enlisting the services of Jay Electronica and introducing the world to Àine Zion. While it’s a tall task to supplant hurts, “Garden” is another fantastic record from Sandé.

“Garden” features unique production work that is firmly planted in the urban contemporary vein.  The appearance of Jay Electronica itself should signify the influence of hip-hop.  The pace is slow and grinding, laden with swagger. Excellent, hard drums buttress the song.

Aine Zion handles intro and outro duties, both spoken word. Jay Electronic offers a respectable, enjoyable guest verse (the final verse).  As always, Sandé – the main attraction – delivers clear vocals. She rides the production like a beast without it ever threatening to overtake her. While “Hurts” feels young itself, “Garden” is even more in line with the younger generation.  The hook isn’t profound per se, but it doesn’t need to be – it feels just right: “Oooh ooh ooh, I’m ready / Oooh ooh, don’t stop…” The essence of “Garden” is the fact that Sandé wants and is ready to experience love. She states this at the onset: “Let me love, let me touch, let me love / baby, give it up, let me drink from the fountain.”

Final Thoughts

All in all, “Graden” is well produced, in the modern vein, hence amplifying its appeal to the youth.  Additionally, it is well performed by Emeli Sandé, with excellent contributions from Aine Zion and Jay Electronica.  Clearly, Sandé has another standout on her hands.

Emeli Sandé • Long Live the Angels • Virgin • Release: 11.11.16

Photo Credit: Virgin