Emeli Sandé - Long Live the Angels review: ‘a rich and soulful break-up record’ | London Evening Standard

Emeli Sandé - Long Live the Angels review: ‘a rich and soulful break-up record’The bestselling artist is back with a captivating second albumNot all heartbreak: Emeli Sande provides a captivating follow-up to her bestselling debut

Review at a glance

It’s almost five years since Emeli Sandé’s debut, the bestselling record of 2012 and most of 2013.

Emeli Sande - Long Live the Angels

This follow-up might have been a difficult second album but for her divorce after just a year of marriage. Although it seems heartless to point out the upside, Sandé’s made a rich and soulful record as a result of the break-up.

There are several stark ballads on which her soprano voice soars over languid guitars or muted pianos during the gospel-tinged choruses.

It’s not all heartbreak, though.

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Garden features a finger-clicking rhythm, blunt beats and rapper Jay Electronica, while Sandé celebrates her Zambian roots with guest vocals from her father and cousins on Tenderly.

There’s a lack of obvious singles — Hurts has orchestral heft, Highs & Lows is efficient R&B — but it’s a captivating comeback.

(Virgin)