Andra Day
Cheers to the Fall

THE REVIEW

Perhaps someone might have wondered whose voice accompanied the timeless Stevie Wonder in the questionable Christmas advertisement for Apple some time ago. I wondered and investigated. Andra Day is her name, and she should be kept under watch because she is a refreshing breath of air in the now languishing landscape of traditional soul.

We, who are orphans of Amy Winehouse and finally free from the remnants left by the likes of Anastacia, could not find anyone who could fill that spot with dignity and grace. (And no, Adele is something else. Adele is the Dusty-wannabe and, like Dusty in her time, stands in a class of her own.)

With a look reminiscent of Doris Day and a voice that makes her appear the heir of Sharon Jones, Andra crafts a pop-soul album of great elegance where the truly exceptional feature is the extraordinarily concise and sharp writing.

Cheers to the fall flows smoothly from start to finish, supported by a dazzling voice and instrumental backing from the likes of The Dap Kings, Chris Dave (D’Angelo, Meshell Ndegeocello), Pino Palladino, Matt Chamberlain, Raphael Saadiq (also a producer), among others. An exceptional lineup for an album without flaws and of great professionalism.

The only drawback might be a certain smoothness at the expense of a more gut-wrenching vision à la Saun & Starr, so to speak. But it is a debut. And it is a debut that gives hope.

Grammy-nominated, she lost, ça va sans dire, to D’Angelo.

Recommended listens: Only Love, Not Today, Rearview.