After fifteen years without a new album Shania Twain is back with her eagerly anticipated new record ‘Now’. The LP is the first since her self-titled 1993 debut that hasn’t been produced by her now ex husband Robert ‘Mutt’ Lange’. It has instead been mixed by a number of names including Matthew Koma, and Jake Gosling making for an eclectic mix of country, pop, reggae, electro-pop and many other styles and genres.
The entire LP has been written solely by Shania Twain making it her most personal body of work to date. Here we review the 12-track standard version of ‘Now’ before its official release date tomorrow (September 29th).
The album opens with the super sassy ‘Swingin’ With My Eyes Closed’ that is reminiscent of classic Twain hits such as ‘Man! I Feel Like A Woman’, and ‘That Don’t Impress Me Much’. The country-pop track features all the 90s vibes we love from Shania while the reggae beat adds a new dimension to the Canadian’s ever evolving style.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzAuu3MtdQ4
We then move on to ‘Home Now’. The track was used is the US Open commercials and is the most pure of country style songs on the whole LP. The guitar riffs are sick and Shania’s voice is back to its best. The fiddle also adds another layer making for a melodic sound that is beautiful. The song will no doubt go down great on tour next year.
‘Light Of My Life’ is the third song on ‘Now’ and it is a haunting ballad that highlights the changes in Twain’s vocal style. Her lower register is very evident in a good way and the catch in her voice makes it a truly stunning song while the almost church like background vocals reminiscent of a choir make for a spine-tingling addition.
‘Poor Me’ is next and this is the most melancholy song on the entire LP and its electro-pop sound highlights Twain’s courage to break genre boundaries. The poignant lyrics allow you to really wallow in your self-pity.
The fifth track on ‘Now’ is the guitar heavy ‘Who’s Gonna Be Your Girl’. This song is a major throwback to the ballads such as ‘Forever and For Always’ from Shania that were featured on ‘Up!’. Twain’s voice also has a higher pitch making her sound more like she did before her vocal issues. It’s a gorgeous song that is an instant classic.
Next we have the country/pop ‘More Fun’ which celebrates the weekend. The toe-tapping beat and fun sing-a-long lyrics make this is a super fun track and is like a lost cut from a previous LP of Shania’s. If you liked ‘C’est La Vie’ you’ll love ‘More Fun’ as it’s like modern day follow up.
Up next is ‘I’m Alright’. This is another slow-jam that gives listeners another glimpse into the heartbreaking divorce that tore Shania’s life apart. But the song doesn’t dwell on what was bad it instead celebrates the fact that “I’m Alright”. It’s a gorgeous song and Twain’s vocals sound incredible. The hand-claps also add another brilliant layer.
At number eight we have the funky ‘Roll Me On The River’ which features a mix of genres and instruments. The soul style beat is super funky and the catchy lyrics are a bridge between past and present showing how much Twain has changed over the years, yet highlights that she is still the same artist we all know and love.
The ninth track is the outstanding ‘We Got Something They Don’t’. The brilliant track sounds like a modern day ‘You’re Still The One’, but despite the adoring lyrics this was actually written about a winning baseball team. Twain’s smokey vocals and the smooth beat and barnstorming horn section make it the perfect song to be used by sports channels for years to come.
At number ten is ‘You Can’t Buy Love’. The drum bass and guitar riffs mixed with the sassy lyrics and funky beat make this a real corker of a track. This sounds like something we would have got from an old Twain album. It’s a modern day anthem from Shania and will no doubt become a massive fan favourite like hits such as ‘Any Man Of Mine’, and ‘Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under’.
The penultimate track on ‘Now’ is the pure pop track ‘Life’s About To Get Good’. This summery anthem was the comeback single from Twain and was the perfect “here I am” track to make a return with. It has all the ingredients of a classic Twain hit while showcasing a brand new Shania to the world.
The standard version of Shania Twain’s first album in fifteen years ends with the spine-tingling, beautiful ‘Soldier’. This tear-jerker is being used in the true-life movie Thank You For Your Service and the poignant lyrics really hit home. This will no doubt bring a few tears from fans at the tour next year.
Overall ‘Now’ is a truly epic album that highlights everything we love about Shania Twain. Sassy lyrics, genre hopping, slow-clap ballads, barnstorming sing-a-longs, and pure country/pop anthems. RATING 5/5
‘Now‘ will be released worldwide on September 29th in a 12-track standard edition, and a 16-song deluxe version! Tickets for Twain’s US, Canada, and UK tour are on sale now.
Are you excited for Shania Twain’s new album ‘Now’? Which track are you most looking forward to? Let us know your thoughts over on Twitter @CelebMix.