Record Reviews

Shania Twain

Album: “Now”

Grade: B

When Shania Twain declares on her new album, “I’m independent to a fault, I know this well,” she’s singing about love, but she could be talking about her career as well. Twain broke a lot of the norms in country music in the mid-’90s, flaunted her sexuality and incorporated rock riffs into her danceable country-pop melodies. She’s back again after a 15-year break still pushing the boundaries of the genre with her mix of pop, country, dance and rock music.

On “Now,” her first record since 2002, Twain wrote all the songs by herself, a rarity in country and pop music, and her songwriting is light-hearted, hooky and inviting. The new songs still carry the feminine strength and optimism she’s always espoused, with a bit more vulnerability. She goes from the lamentation of “Poor Me,” about getting dumped for another, to “Life’s About to Get Good,” in which she affirms: “I’m ready to be loved and love the way I should.”

The biggest change, however, is her voice, which was crippled by Lyme disease. After a long rehabilitation, Twain’s voice is deeper with a little bit more gravel tones, and that’s to be expected after a vocal injury.

— Kristin M. Hall, Associated Press

Macklemore

Album: “Gemini”

Grade: B

It feels wrong to say Macklemore’s latest solo album, “Gemini,” is better than “This Unruly Mess I’ve Made,” his 2016 project. “Mess” saw Macklemore reflecting on important issues: dissecting white privilege, addressing police brutality, confronting the music industry. But the end result was neither fun nor easy to listen to, and, quite simply, “Gemini” is. That’s thanks in no small part to a long list of the new set’s featured guests, whose good-time vibes seem to put Macklemore back in the space that gave way to his and Lewis’ 2012 smash single “Thrift Shop.”

Undoubtedly, that Grammy Award-winning song is the one that put Macklemore “in Obama’s iPod” as the rapper boasts on the delightfully off-kilter “Gemini” track “Willy Wonka,” featuring Migos rapper Offset. There’s the sticky sweet “Marmalade” featuring Lil Yachty, with its “Chopsticks”-esque piano and playful lyrics. Then there’s the electric funk boogie of “Levitate” featuring Seattle-based newcomer Otieno Terry.

— Melanie J. Sims, Associated Press

David Crosby

Album: “Sky Trails”

Grade: B

After decades of groups and collaborations, David Crosby’s solo career has found a second (or fifth?) wind and “Sky Trails,” his third album since 2015, continues the streak of quality in the quantity.

There’s a direct link to Joni Mitchell in a cover of her “Amelia,” one of her greatest songs, but just as the connection between them goes back some 50 years, her influence, whether or subtle or obvious, musical or lyrical, can be heard across much of the album.

Crosby says he doesn’t want to take his latest gushes of creativity for granted and “Sky Trails” is an excellent batch of tunes to continue appreciating and enjoying his talents.

— Pablo Gorondi, Associated Press