Music review: Grace Potter – 鈥楳idnight鈥�
鈥淔orgive me if I鈥檓 not myself tonight,鈥� announces Grace Potter on the opening track of her first solo release. It鈥檚 almost as if she is bracing devoted fans for what is to follow.
The vivacious frontwoman for Grace Potter and the Nocturnals the last 13 years goes it alone by changing her musical direction similar to U2鈥檚 unexpected techno offerings highlighted on 鈥淧op.鈥�
The 32-year-old Vermont native abandons her earthy blues-rock style for a fashionable pop-dance vibe reminiscent of early Madonna.
The soulful swagger found on previous Potter tracks like 鈥淢edicine,鈥� 鈥淗ot Summer Night鈥� and 鈥淧aris (Ooh La La)鈥� from her band鈥檚 2010 passionate effort is now replaced by synth-driven tracks filled with pulsating dance beats and seductive charm. Over the years, Potter has always demonstrated plenty of flirtatious swagger to go along with a great set of pipes.
On 鈥淢idnight,鈥� Potter gets adventurous with a set of arrangements possessing a stylish sex appeal that is intoxicatingly hypnotic. 鈥淵ou struck the match and now I can鈥檛 control myself,鈥� confesses Potter on 鈥淗ot to the Touch.鈥� The infectious bass grooves of 鈥淎live Tonight鈥� and 鈥淵our Girl鈥� lead into the tasty tone of 鈥淒elirious鈥� with its playful mixture of Bananarama adorability. Prince鈥檚 signature style of sophisticated funk overruns the slick 鈥淟ook What We鈥檝e Become鈥� and 鈥淏iggest Fan鈥� oozes of teasing seduction once delivered by Berlin鈥檚 Terri Nunn in her prime.
If you鈥檙e not familiar with Nunn, I strongly urge you to give a listen to 1984鈥檚 鈥淟ove Life.鈥� Not every tune is drenched with glossy production and sugary satisfaction. 鈥淚nstigators鈥� is a rousing rocker that explodes into an exuberant anthem filled with plenty of punch and fiery attitude. Shades of Sheryl Crow can be found on the pop tracks 鈥淓mpty Heart鈥� and 鈥淣obody鈥檚 Born With a Broken Heart.鈥�
For all its glorious moments of sleek sensuality, the album鈥檚 brightest triumph is delivered on the final number. 鈥淟et You Go鈥� is a soaring ballad about coming to terms with loss and showcases Potter鈥檚 extraordinary voice by bringing the set to a moving and gratifying close.
With 鈥淢idnight,鈥� Potter makes a flashy statement that she鈥檚 ready, willing and able to conquer a variety of musical styles without hesitation.
Potter comes to Pittsburgh on Oct. 6 for a Stage AE performance.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard.com.