I guess there comes a time in every artist’s life when they learn to stop looking back and start looking forward, and whist that comes naturally to some, there are those that had a taste of fame and fortune in previous decades who find themselves on the treadmill in an endless loop playing songs they wrote in their youth for the millionth time.
I was impressed by Janet Gardner’s debut solo record back in 2017 when she was still very much apart of ‘Vixen,’ the band she had fronted since the 80’s and through various reunions and countless dates. Now whilst it must have been a huge decision to part from that band it’s not a decision to give up music or put down the guitar, it’s one that allows her to concentrate on her second solo release with partner Justin James.
‘Your Place in the Sun’ picks up very much where we left off to years ago, and whilst this album might be a little freer and rawer than its predecessor it still relies on Janet’s distinctive voice to tie it all together along with those surprisingly heavy riffs that were so much a part of that debut. Don’t get me wrong tough, there’s still the variety there too.
Opening with the fiery riff of the title track there’s a nice robust groove and some great melodies going on, and Janet’s voice sets it all off to deliver an even more impressive first shot than last time out. And there’s plenty more here to grab your attention from the almost Euro Pop-Rock of ‘Assassinate’ ( think Reckless Love) to the uber-catchy 80’s flavoured ‘Standing’ and that’s merely the opening three tracks here!
Elsewhere you’ll love the comfort of the stripped back ballad ‘Try’; the Southern heart that beats in ‘Kicks Me Back’; and the Country Rock of ‘A Way to Your Heart.’ But there’s also the edgier offerings like the electronica-tinged ‘You Said’ and the thoroughly modern Rock of ‘Should Have Known’ which are also real standouts here.
Even better than first time around Gardner has produced an album full of great songs that will have you hooked from the very first second until the last.
‘Your Place In The Sun’, is set for a global release on May 31, 2019, via Pavement Entertainment.
