SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JULIANA HATFIELD – JULIANA HATFIELD SINGS ELO

JULIANA HATFIELD
JULIANA HATFIELD SINGS ELO
AMERICAN LAUNDROMAT RECORDS

Juliana Hatfield is never short of surprises when it comes to her ever-evolving music career. From her 1992 smash indie debut Hey Babe, to 2021’s ominously dark release Blood, to a collection of killer ELO covers, Hatfield continues to stay in top form creatively.

When it comes to track selection, the songs are carefully thought out and not back-to-back mega hits. The tunes are well spread out, introducing some lesser-known ELO songs for newcomers to their music. Tracks like “Can’t Get It Out of My Head”, “Strange Magic”, and “Don’t Bring Me Down” deliver the goods and will keep the listener engaged from start to finish.

Some deeper cuts, such as “Secret Message”, “Showdown”, and “From the End of the World”, bring out the diversity in this release, giving the listener something to sink their teeth into.

Production-wise, the backing band lays down perfect tracks, letting Hatfield’s vocals shine. The vocal production is immaculate, with airtight harmonies, all while keeping the raw indie sound that fans come to expect with any Juliana Hatfield release.

With all that said, no risks were taken in the recording process here, placing this album in the ‘safe zone’. The sonic colour palette could have been diversified with possibly a hard rocker or an all-acoustic ballad, something left of center perhaps.

Fans of ELO and Juliana Hatfield will love this release; it is a record that can easily be put on repeat and won’t wear out your ears. Top marks here.

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