Tone Tree Music (label)
31 March 2017 (released)
31 March 2017
Jennifer Paige is one of the pop world's best remember one hit wonders. Having exploded into the charts around the world with her 1998 anthem Crush, many could be forgiven for having assumed that was the end of her musical journey. Those who paid closer attention will have been rewarded with a compelling and assorted body of work that has failed to capture the same attention as her breakout hit. From the addictive These Days through to her sensational Nick Carter duet Beautiful Lie, Paige has always maintained some sort of presence in the entertainment industry, Her latest studio album, Starflower, saw her still loyal fans club together to fund the recording, but will fan power be enough to catapult her into the mainstream once again?
Fan power is not all Starflower has to offer. Boasting an electro pop sound that has not previously been explored by the songstress who most recently dabbled with country, Jennifer Paige could easily be 2017's answer to Carly Rae Jepsen. With 2015's Emotion, Carly redefined her artistry in both the eyes of the critics and audiences, Starflower is as strong, if not stronger than Emotion and could see Jennifer soaring to the top of the charts again.
What is most compelling about Starflower is not the change in sonic direction, but rather the honest and compelling lyrics behind the music. While she has persevered with her musical ambitions, Jennifer has also lost both her parents and battled skin cancer in the last decade. It is clear within the confines of the record that she has come out the other side of these difficulties a stronger and more insightful artist.
While the explosive Devil's In The Details and trippy To The Madness are without doubt the strongest radio cuts, it is the emotional January and understatement of Like A Bomb that will move you the most and stay with you for years to come.
Overall Starflower is a stunning return from one of pop's most criminally overlooked talents. While the acoustic rendition of Crush is a nice closing touch, it is not needed a sales pitch for a truly impressive collection.
