Autumn is officially here, and you know what that means: lots and lots of new music! Several of my favorite artists were scheduled to release music in 4Q 2010, and while the Spice Girls weren’t one of those acts, the following three were:

Ace.of.Base - The Golden Ratio

After a nearly eight year hiatus, Ace of Base (now styled Ace.of.Base - don’t forget the punctuation) has reformed and released their fifth studio album, The Golden Ratio. With the departure of siblings Jenny and Linn Berggren, Ulf Elkberg and Jonas Berggren recruited two new (and younger) female vocalists: Clara Hangman and Julia Williamson. Although the album has not been officially released, nor is it scheduled to be released Stateside, as of this date, I was able to find the entire leaked album here. I have to admit, for the last two days, I have been listening to this album on repeat. While it is generic EuroPop, it is infectious EuroPop.

The first single, “All For You,” was a solid choice for a comeback single — great beat; hypnotic chorus. It serves several functions: First, it reestablishes the group and puts them back on the radar. Second, it introduces the new vocalists. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it lets us all know that the group’s sound hasn’t changed at all in the past eight years.  Borrowing heavily from it’s predecessors,  particularly The Sign, The Golden Ratio is like a time-capsule from the early 1990s that may have been unearthed prematurely. 

The fact of the matter is, while die-hard Ace of Base fans (myself included) have been hungry for new material, not enough time has passed so that this seemingly recycled album seems fresh. “Mr. Replay” features similar elements of “Don’t Turn Around,” while”Blah, Blah, Blah (On the Radio)” sounds like a rehashed version of “Lucky Love.”

I am happy that after numerous setbacks, new material has been released. Perhaps Ace.of.Base can capitalize off of what has changed in the electronic, dance-pop arena during their hiatus, and work off of the success of acts like La Roux, September and Lady GaGa for future releases. 

Track Listing:

1. All For You
2. Blah, Blah, Blah (On The Radio)
3. The Golden Ratio
4. Southern California
5. Told My Ma
6. Black Sea
7. One Day
8. Juliet
9. Precious
10. Vision In Blue
11. Mr. Replay
12. Who I Am
13. Doreen

Maroon 5 - Hands All Over

Three long years passed in between the release of It Won’t Be Soon Before Long and Hands All Over and in that time, it seems as though not much has changed with Adam Levine’s personal life. He is still the most insecure womanizer you can come across. Most of the songs on this album contain lyrics, in where we find Levine crooning for a lost love. The rest of the songs contain lyrics which celebrate his conquests. He is ether a douche or a hopeless romantic. The jury’s still out on that one…

The album is Maroon 5 through and through. They have a sound that is so different from anything else that’s out there right now, something that is so distinctively theirs. They build on their bluesy-rock foundation by adding R&B elements, throw in some disco beats and top it off with a little jazz. You can say that they’re sell-outs, but you cannot deny their musicality. At the very least, they are talented musicians that have learned to capitalize off of the good looks of their front man.

“Misery,” the lead single which was released in June, was a strong choice. The song gets right back in from where we left off. There is a fantastic energy that emanates from this song — you just want to get up and dance when you hear it. “Give a Little More,” the second single, isn’t quite as strong, but it is nevertheless a great song. I wouldn’t be surprised if “Stutter” is released after that. “Never Gonna Leave This Bed” is a truly beautiful song, a melancholy ballad that tugs at your heartstrings.

Although not a complete departure from what we’re used to, this new album begins to move in a new direction. I can only hope that after the final single is lifted from Hands All Over that we won’t have to wait another three years before the next album.

Track Listing:

1. Misery
2. Give a Little More
2. Stutter
4. Don’t Know Nothing
5. Never Gonna Leave This Bed
6. Hands All Over
7. How
9. Get Back in My Life
10. Just a Feeling
11. Runaway
12. Out of Goodbyes

Sara Bareilles - Kaleidoscope Heart

Sara Bareilles’ sophomore album, Kaleidoscope Heart is a beautiful companion piece to her debut album, Little Voice. The two are very similar, structurally but are lyrically night and day.  Having spent nearly all of the three years in between the release of the two albums touring, Bareilles had much inspiration to draw upon. You get the sense that she has grown far more confident in her role as a contemporary artist.

The title song, “Kaleidoscope Heart,” is a beautifully crafted introduction that welcomes the listener into the 50 minute bliss in which they are about to enter. “King of Anything,” the first single, is a cute, spunky little song that embodies Bareilles’ personality and passion. “Hold My Heart” is a gem.

The thing about Sara (yeah, we’re on a first name basis, we hang out…) is that she is a natural talent. She’s not the manufactured byproduct of a reality show, she’s the real deal — the whole enchilada. She has no classic training; everything she does comes strait from her heart and soul. When asked about the title of the album, Sara had this to say: “I picked out the name of the record months before I even finished writing the songs. I love the imagery of those words, and they’re really representative of how I envision my heart. It’s a colorful but fragmented, ever-changing sum of all the bits and pieces that make it up. A kaleidoscope is the tool that helps make sense of the mess. Or at least makes it nice to look at.”

While a little more mellow than its predecessor, Kaleidoscope Heart is a great album to listen to on a rainy night, in front of the fireplace with a big glass of wine.

Track Listing:

1. Kaleidoscope Heart
2. Uncharted
3. Gonna Get Over You
4. Hold My Heart
5. King of Anything
6. Say You’re Sorry
7. The Light
8. Basket Case
9. Let it Rain
10. Machine Gun
11.Not Alone
12. Breathe Again
13. Bluebird

And there you have it, kids. A few other artists that had originally anticipated releasing new material in 2010, have since pushed their release dates back to 2011, including: Amy Winehouse, Blink 182 and No Doubt.

Sara Bareilles released “Kaleidoscope Heart,” her sophomore album, today. With it came this statement which was released through her newsletter. She’s a class-act all the way…

My Heart is Here.
I thought that subject line would be sort of clever, but actually it’s just the most accurate way I can describe what’s happening today. I have spent so much time in the creation stages of making this record, it feels strange to finally be at the precipice of letting it go.

And so here we are.

My heart and I are parting ways. She’s off to wherever she goes, and I get to watch and hopefully feel as much joy and wonder as I did while I was making her.

The day of release comes with the biggest sigh of relief because it is no longer anywhere near the realm of my control. Some people will love it, others will hate it, some will think I pushed too hard, others not far enough. No matter what, it is no longer in my hands…it’s in yours. That is exactly where it was intended to be.

I love it whole-heartedly, and that’s the only thing I ever wanted to do, and so I’m honored to introduce you all to the latest compilation of my inner-world workings….

Here’s my Kaleidoscope Heart.