This debut's sophistication might mean Jessie slinks to the forefront rather than shoving her way to the top, but however long it takes, Devotion marks a new chapter in this future-pop superstar's journey.
Ware gives her most understated performance on the record, and ironically her most anonymous, but the track's hypnotic, uneasy lurch calls for this delivery.
Adorned with production that's as sympathetic to UK underground dance as it is to modern R&B and classic soul, Devotion is a classy affair that delights in its own refinement yet stays pinned to the earth, a talented singer and songwriter realizing her potential at just the right moment.
The more you listen, the less the album reveals; her vocals fall between sultry and sterile, and you wish, to take two of her professed influences, that she was a little less Sade, and a little more Chaka Khan.
One of most interesting albums of the year. The songs are a great combination of pure Jessie Ware's voice and broken rhythmically electronicOne of most interesting albums of the year. The songs are a great combination of pure Jessie Ware's voice and broken rhythmically electronic sounds. Pop of the highest quality.…Expand
Before I start this review, this a review of the American release, not the UK which was already release back in august. Now that 's over,Before I start this review, this a review of the American release, not the UK which was already release back in august. Now that 's over, here's one word I can say about Jessie Ware's debut album "Devotion", Outstanding. It's one of the best albums of 2013, and one of the most interesting pop albums in a long time. Most of you might not know who Jessie Ware is, she's from the UK, and has first started off in the music industry guest appearing on other songs from other popular indie artists. She makes her debut with Devotion which describing what it's about may be difficult, at times it's about love, friendship, emotions, and maybe something unknown, but it all works out in great style. The beats, sounds, and Rhythm are perfectly balanced with each song, making each song sound different from the other, sometimes it's electronic, other times it's R&B, but the total package is Pop. All this making this interesting Pop. Jessie Ware does an outstanding job with her vocals, going along beautifully with everything going on in each song. The album has 13 songs (including a remix of Wildest Moments with A$AP Rockey.) and it never feels slow or too fast. Personal favorites on this album include "Wildest Moments", "Running", "Swan Song", and "Sweet Talk". In the end, this is an album to keep an eye on throughout the rest of this year, an album of almost pure perfection.…Expand
Despite Ware's assumed inspirations, Devotion is a wonderful piece of work concerning this current era of generic bubblegum pop. There's noDespite Ware's assumed inspirations, Devotion is a wonderful piece of work concerning this current era of generic bubblegum pop. There's no place for auto-tune abuse here: everything is flowy, smooth and properly sultry when needed.…Expand
Night Light and Taking In Water are individually not the most amazing of songs, but when with the rest of the album, although you may want toNight Light and Taking In Water are individually not the most amazing of songs, but when with the rest of the album, although you may want to skip them, they blend in a little bit more with the sound of the album and work a little more. As a whole though, the songs on Jessie Ware's debut are generally tremendous, to make what is in itself, a generally flawless debut.…Expand
The perfect definition of an album which only consists of single 4-out-of-5-stars-songs. But that doesn't stop the album from being great.The perfect definition of an album which only consists of single 4-out-of-5-stars-songs. But that doesn't stop the album from being great. Jessie Ware is one of the best newcomers of 2012, she is a great songwriter and I'm in love with her voice. Like so often in pop music she repeats her lines frequently. Anyway, when she gets to write a longer verse she shows how amazing she can express herself. The R&B beats under her singing are groovy too and there isn't a single song that isn't worth hearing. Yet, as I said before, not one of the songs stands out from the rest. Thus, I won't name anyone of the songs in my list for the best songs of the year, however I will definitely name this album.…Expand
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the album. I'm a huge fan of Sade and you hear her swag emulated here. It's synthesized sounds are nostalgicI thoroughly enjoyed listening to the album. I'm a huge fan of Sade and you hear her swag emulated here. It's synthesized sounds are nostalgic of the disco era especially within Running and its "never give up" intricate harmonies. It is understandable that Jessie Ware decides to name her album Devotion, however the title track was the opening of the album and it may have fell short too early, if it opened with wildest moments followed by running then it would've made a smoother transition and a nice introduction to Jessie Ware. The only issue I have with the album are the song choices and the ordering of the album. Personally, I did not need to hear running three times, it is repetitive enough (not that I'm complaining about the actual song, the repetition works in its favour in the aspect). However three of the songs there possibly could've been included in the deluxe edition as it just didn't flow well with the rest of the track list. To conclude, amazing introduction to Jessie Ware and I'm excited for her next move.
Favourite songs: Wildest Moments, Running, If You're Never Gonna Move…Expand
I'm not sure what album the others were listening to - the one I heard has mediocre songs and performances and is incredibly overproduced -I'm not sure what album the others were listening to - the one I heard has mediocre songs and performances and is incredibly overproduced - doesn't hold a candle to the great R&B or soul singers of the past - not even close to Sade!…Expand
Sure, it's no surprise that Frank Ocean had the best-reviewed album of 2012. But which other releases filled out our top 40? Get the full list inside ... and check out the year's worst-reviewed albums, too.
It's time for our annual list of the best debut albums of the year. This year's roster is led by UK singer-songwriter Jessie Ware, but features artists from across Europe and North America. Spotify users can even listen to most of the albums on the list.
Published: December 21, 2012Sure, it's no surprise that Frank Ocean had the best-reviewed album of 2012. But which other releases filled out our top 40? Get the full list inside ... and check out the year's worst-reviewed albums, too.
Published: December 18, 2012It's time for our annual list of the best debut albums of the year. This year's roster is led by UK singer-songwriter Jessie Ware, but features artists from across Europe and North America. Spotify users can even listen to most of the albums on the list.