Music Review: Corinne Bailey Rae's The Sea

On January 26, 2010, British soul singer Corinne Bailey Rae released her highly anticipated sophomore album entitled, The Sea. After breaking onto the music scene in 2006 with her self-titled debut album and the Grammy nominated hit "Put Your Records On," Rae has spent much of the past two years in seclusion, dealing with personal tragedy. In March of 2008, the singer's beloved husband, saxophonist Jason Rae was found dead. Much of the new album was recorded after her husband's death and in the liner notes to the album, Rae writes "This album, like everything I do, is made to try and impress Jason Bruce Rae." In my opinion, the album is a fitting tribute that Rae can be proud of.

The album starts with the song "Are You Here." The tune begins with Rae singing the lyrics "He's a real live wire/He's the best of his kind/Wait till you see those eyes" in a delicate and hushed, almost fragile voice. The mellow tune seems to evoke the presence of her late husband by recounting the intimate details of their relationship. "I'd Do it All Again" is the first single released from the album and is another classic Rae ballad. In the song, Rae vocally expresses the emotional turmoil associated with the pains of love. She begins and ends the song with the same haunting lyric "you're searching for something I know, won't make you happy." Hands down, "I'd Do It All Again" is one of the best songs on the album.

Rae picks up the pace a bit on "Feels Like the First Time" and even gives a slight rock and roll vibe on "The Blackest Lily" (which features ?uestlove from The Roots on drums). Another one of my favorite tracks is "Closer." The song is a perfect blend of sweet R&B soul with a tinge of jazz (complete with a trumpet riffs). The most resembles the sound of Rae's debut album, but it does not feel dated and flows well with the rest of The Sea.

"Love's on it's Way" and "I Would Like to Call it Beauty" are perhaps two of the more personal songs on the album as both seemingly speak to the process of moving on after death. Lyrically, both songs begin as woeful prayers of loss to God but transform into songs of hope, love, and perseverance past the pain.

Although great songs on their own, "Paris Nights/New York Mornings" and Paper Dolls seem to interrupt the flow of the album. But Rae's foray into the more pronounced rock tunes are catchy and well executed, so all is forgiven.

The final song, which also happens to be the album title track, is emotional, raw, and honest. Rae end's the song and the album with the words "The sea/The majestic sea/Breaks everything/Crashes everything/Cleans everything/Takes everything/From me." The song comes across as a meditation on the life lessons Rae has learned since her first album. The song and the album show Rae's amazing growth as an artist.

Despite the common theme of melancholy, The Sea is not a sad or depressing album. Rae's style ranges from jazz, R&B, and pop to create a sound that is more mature than her debut. Yet, her die-hard fans will not be disappointed. The Sea is the evidence of musical evolution and will secure Corinne Bailey Rae's position more than just a rising star. With her new release she solidifies her status as a true star and accomplished soul singer.