This is the time of year when music lovers are on the lookout for that perfect summer album — a record to effortlessly soundtrack beach bars, balmy evenings, road trips and sunny strolls. Look no further, you’ve found it.
Rozzi’s latest album is a defining moment in her career, and one born from sheer talent and good old-fashioned hard work. That artistic endeavour kicked into gear when Rozzi was signed by Maroon 5’s Adam Levine to his own label over a decade ago, and since then she has worked with a host of musical luminaries, including Nile Rodgers, Sergio Mendes, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar and Sheryl Crow.
Fig Tree is an intoxicating collection of sumptuous soul-pop songs that have been beautifully arranged and exquisitely delivered. The prominent feature throughout, though, is the super-impressive vocal performance from Rozzi. This artist possesses a velvet voice that feels like a warm embrace. Rozzi could indeed sing the phone book, and it would probably be an emotional experience for the listener. Thankfully, she doesn’t, opting instead for lyrical content that relates to the human condition and the range of feelings therein — whether it’s love, vulnerability, joy or rejection — all wrapped up in catchy tunes, which is no mean feat.
The record also offers a generous variety of musical moods. The James Bond theme-style drama — those tension chords — of “Hold Tight,” probably my favourite track on Fig Tree, is cool and mysterious, while “All For A Man” is a blues-gospel-tinged, timeless anthem. Check the vocals on this one!
We’re also treated to the delicate, laid-back acoustic ballad “Edge of Something Else,” which comes across as a beach campfire sing-along, and not just on account of the ocean sound effects at the beginning. It’s such a stripped-back track, but still manages to sound larger than life.
Then there is the glorious jazzy groove of previous single “Good News,” which packs a Jamiroquai punch and contains a cute lyrical reference to The Beatles’ Rubber Soul record. Expertly co-written by Mr Hudson, it is definitely one of the album’s best moments — the bass line is a beauty.
Fig Tree is one of those special records that come along all too seldom, managing to combine lyrical depth and intelligence with sparkling, scintillating music. The album’s title is taken from the fig tree metaphor so brilliantly used by Sylvia Plath in her novel The Bell Jar, which has inspired the direction and shape of these songs. In turn, they navigate and illustrate the modern dilemmas of lifestyle choices and social expectations.
This is a truly great album. I urge you to spend some time in its company.
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