Five Star's Deniece Pearson

Five Star’s Deniece Pearson looks every inch the queen of pop, reggae and R&B on her new album cover Free Queen See.

And she certainly hits the right frequency with this15-track self-penned and produced album which blends a range of genres and showcases Deniece’s amazing vocal range.

Her album comes four decades on from breaking records with her brothers and sisters as Five Star, with over 20 Top 30 singles including Rain or Shine, System Addict and Slightest Touch.

For her first new record in over a decade, Brit Award winner and Grammy nominee Deniece has created an exuberant mix of songs ranging from reggae-inspired numbers, soulful harmonies with a TLC vibe, and dynamic dance tracks.

Underpinning the whole album is Deniece’s spiritual journey, inspired by the loss of some of her close friends and family. She reveals how she went into solitude for eight months, during which she “connected with God, my angels and my spiritual guides”.

She said: “This album has been created by channelling through the universe’s energies. Music is my life. It’s a gift. I’m channelling these songs to spread a message. It’s about manifestation, goodness, helping each other and just having a kind heart.”

Her first single from the album, Like A Child, released in the summer to great acclaim, is soulful and sultry with a real summer vibe, and includes Deniece rapping – a novelty for the fans.

And if you’re already fed up with the cold weather this winter, you can continue a deep dive into warmer climes, with songs like Berry – a great Reggae-infused track – and the Calypso beat song Tell Everybody, in which Deniece sings about Bob Marley’s One Love.

The penultimate track on the album, Eleven Stars, also brings a summery energy, with a great homage to the classic hit Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince.

Another potential single from this joyful album is We Found Love, a song with 80s club overtures. Its lyrics take us back to hints of Alexander O’Neal and Cherrelle’s 1985 hit Saturday Love, it really is such a standout tune.

Similarly soulful is the spiritual track When Jesus Spoke, which has a funky beat to an uplifting message – “Don’t worry about tomorrow, it will take care of itself”, something we can all take comfort from.

Other tracks include a heartfelt love song called I Didn’t Know which is set to be Deniece’s Christmas single. Sparked by a conversation about Jesus, the track features a catchy melody and some great lyrics including the metaphysical “You give me the starry sky on the darkest night” - so apt for Christmas.

Deliverance is a rousing anthem of unity and return, as a tribute to Bob Marley with its pounding drum beat, orchestral strings and powerful lyrics.

This album has been crafted with songs rich in scripture and positive messaging, deeply shaped by Deniece’s faith, bringing a joyful energy to the music.

None more so than Trumpets in the Air, which is clearly a celebration of Deniece’s lifelong connection with music and her destiny, reflected in her lyrics “because I was born into it”. With its Beyonce-esque sound and beat, the song is a real stand-out of the album.

Looking more glamorous than ever, Deniece has certainly cranked up the dial with Free Queen See. This record isn’t just a triumphant return - it’s a warm, spirited embrace from an artist who has journeyed inward and emerged shining.