Rated Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful?

God?

This is a very delayed review of Paloma Faith's debut album, Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful? The reason being, well I don't have one, but here it is now. With a soulful, classic vocal and authentic production, Paloma's debut is one of the triumphs of the last year. Amidst a sea of synthesised electro-pop sheep, she stands out like an uber-talented ginger thumb! 

From the epic opener 'Stone Cold Sober', Paloma is explicitly branding her style into our mind. Full of trumpets and not a synth in earshot, this album commences on a top note and is a gale force breath of fresh air. Her voice, not conventionally 'huge', but full of energy and passion, brings the intelligent lyricism of her debut single to life. The pace is kept high with 'Smoke and Mirrors', which is just as epic as her debut. "Now we're through, the show is over, the audience is walking out the room", she belts out as she compliments the end of a failing relationship. Things slow down a bit with 'Broken Doll'. A charming ballad about post-breakup repair, the song doesn't quite keep up to the standard of its predecessors. The title track is a beautiful, lyrical masterpiece, "The Prophet took my hand on all souls day, he preached the value of deception, changing shadows by a shapeshifter's rules, tales are never just for fools...". With a memorable melody and stunning vocals, this song should be an enormous success if sales reflect talent. 'Upside Down' continues the 50s dance-hall vibe of the album with its bouncing beat and Paloma's soulful crooning. 'Romance is Dead' is yet more fantastically original, intelligent lyricism, "a rose is blue and violet's red, say it isn't true don't tell me romance is dead". The biggest moment on this album is the megaton ballad 'New York'. Containing a wonderfully catchy chorus and gorgeous melodies, this song is the highlight of the entire collection. The final three songs of the album, 'Stargazer', 'My Legs Are Weak' and 'Play On' bolster the 50s sound further, establishing Paloma's soulful, vintage identity.

This is a brilliant debut from a British female artist, something we've been needing for some time. Some intensely stunning lyrics and vocal performances, DYWTTOSB? is a stellar first outing for this rather odd woman. She may seem like a bit of a weirdo in interviews, but once you absorb this album you'll merge the two experiences and come out with something almost perfect. Paloma Faith is the nicotine patch to the synth obessed music scene that's swallowing the charts whole at the moment. I just hope that she really takes off, because one more album like this could never be a bad thing.


4/5