HARD AT WORK: Ladyhawke performs at the Big Day Out in 2010.
Kiwi singer Ladyhawke's new album has been released worldwide to rave reviews - with the exception of a two-star rating from the influential UK Guardian newspaper.
The new album, Anxiety, was released in New Zealand late last month, and today in the United States, United Kingdom, and other worldwide markets.
Ladyhawke is the stage name of Masterton's Pip Brown.
Writing in OMH, Ben Hogwood said the album found Ladyhawke "adding more leather to her wardrobe, donning some killer heeled boots and applying liberal doses of eyeliner.
"The record finds her exploring a love of Joan Jett and David Bowie, rather than the appropriations to Fleetwood Mac that were witnessed in the first, self-titled album.''
He noted the "grungy guitars", "punchy beats" and the vocals with "attitude".
"A lot has happened in pop music since Ladyhawke last released new songs, but it's pleasing to report that one of the most likeable and unassuming songwriters around is sticking to her guns. If anything they're more powerful this time."
Naomi Couper on Theupcoming.co.uk gave the album four out of five stars and said it was "fantastic" and a " secure recipe for a hit record".
"Anxiety musically glistens and is truly a piece in itself and shines with glorious accomplishment - an intelligent pop album that covers the all too familiar territory of going out of your mind. A punchy, well thought out record that displays Brown's ability to keep true to her musical roots."
But Guardian reviewer Tim Jonze only gave the album two out of five stars.
"Supergrass and Elastica are the reference points we're dealing with here, and that's the problem: while a 90s revival is in full swing, Britpop doesn't feel like an interesting enough area to explore for nostalgic kicks (perhaps because it was a revival in itself) and the songs aren't strong enough to make it feel vibrant."
Contact Tom Hunt
Porirua reporter
Email: tom.hunt@dompost.co.nz
Twitter: @tomdom76
- © Fairfax NZ News
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