Album review overview: Album review overview: Robert Plant, Scorpions and more and more

Dozens of new albums arrive at Maxazine’s editorial staff every week. There are too many to listen to, let alone review them. It ensures that too many albums are left behind. And that’s a shame. That is why we post an overview of albums that arrive at the editors in short reviews today.

Photo (c) Jorge Fakhouri Filho

Yumi Ito – Lonely Island

‘Which records would you take with you to a deserted island?’ Japanese singer, pianist and composer Yumi Ito posed this same question to herself: ‘Which music would I take with me?’ The answer consists of the ten pieces captured on this extremely intimate record. Intimate, because it’s stripped down to the absolute minimum with just her voice and the piano. Thanks to expert mastering (done by Magdalena Piotrkwoska from Hear Candy), you feel as though you’re sitting in her room, at the grand piano, whilst Ito pours out her harmonious heart. Incidentally, the pieces aren’t new: they appeared on the albums “Stardust Crystals” from 2020 and “Ysla” from 2023. On the former album, “What Seems To Be” features a rich arrangement with saxophone, amongst other things. On “Lonely Island”, we find the track again, but in an ultimately sparse execution with only vocals in beautiful close harmony and piano accompaniment. A scat-like improvisation replaces the saxophone. “Love Is Here To Stay” appeared on “Ysla”, again in a rich arrangement with strings. On “Lonely Island” we hear the solo version: the vocals are virtually unchanged and float between sometimes very fragile and then again powerful. Listen to “Little Things” and marvel at the versatility of that voice. A voice that becomes purer when it’s only framed with piano sounds. Do the songs still hold up? More than ever. It hits home with greater impact and above all purer, every note is necessary and spot on. It has become a musical statement, just as the entire record is a powerful statement: Ito placed the production entirely in the hands of creative minds from the LGBTI community. Finally, Yumi Ito is going on tour with full instrumentation. (Jeroen Mulder) (8/10) (Enja Yellowbird)

ZAZ – Sains Et Saufs

After years of personal struggle, ZAZ returns with her most introspective and emotionally candid album to date. “Sains Et Saufs” opens with “Je Pardonne”, in which Isabelle Geffroy lays bare her vulnerabilities and makes peace with her past. The album addresses themes such as addiction, self-acceptance and inner healing with a raw honesty that her earlier work sometimes lacked. The collaboration with young Belgian producer Noé Preszow on six tracks brings a fresh dynamic without losing ZAZ’s distinctive sound. “Au Pays Des Merveilles” confronts her struggle against cocaine addiction, whilst “Mon Cœur Tu Es Fou” fully utilises her vocal power. Productionally, the album is carefully balanced – warm acoustic arrangements alternated with more layered compositions. Some tracks, however, feel somewhat predictable, especially in the middle section of the album. For listeners who have followed ZAZ’s personal development, this album marks an important turning point towards artistic maturity and authenticity. (Anton Dupont) (8/10) (Tôt ou Tard)

Scorpions – From The First Sting

In honour of their 60th anniversary, the German hard rock legends present a carefully curated retrospective that documents their evolution from local rock band to worldwide arena-fillers. This anniversary collection contains not only timeless anthems such as “Rock You Like A Hurricane” and “Wind Of Change”, but also shows deeper album tracks that illustrate their songwriting development. Klaus Meine’s voice still sounds powerful, whilst Rudolf Schenker’s guitar work forms the connecting thread through five decades of musical history. The remastering emphasises the production quality of different eras without losing the original characteristics. For new listeners, it functions as an ideal introduction to a band that helped define hard rock. Longtime fans will appreciate the inclusion of rare live versions and alternative mixes. The album, however, lacks surprising, deeper cuts or unreleased material. As a tribute to one of the most successful German rock bands of all time, “From The First Sting” succeeds in underlining their lasting relevance and musical legacy. (Tobias Braun) (7/10) (BMG)

Robert Plant – Saving Grace

The Led Zeppelin frontman continues to search for new musical horizons at the age of 77 with “Saving Grace”, an album that shows his enduring creativity and insatiable hunger for discovery. Plant collaborates with producer Suzi Dian and his trusted band to create a sound that sophisticatedly merges folk, world music and rock. His voice, whilst different from his golden god days, still possesses the expressive power that distinguishes him. “Bones of Saints” opens with hypnotic percussion and Plant’s characteristic vibrato, whilst “Embrace Another Fall” explores more groove-oriented territory. The influences of North African and Middle Eastern music are subtly but effectively integrated. Guitarist Liam Tyson adds texture without dominating, perfectly complementing Plant’s vocals, which tell the most beautiful stories. Some experimental passages feel dated, but Plant’s ability to give personal input to even well-trodden themes remains intact. For fans who have followed Plant’s post-Zeppelin journey, “Saving Grace” offers a worthy addition to his extensive solo catalogue. (Jan Vranken) (7/10) (Nonesuch)

Yong Yello – Bennie & De Banaliteit Van Ons Bestaan

The Belgian indie collective Yong Yello presents, with their latest release a philosophical exploration of our everyday right to exist, wrapped in accessible but intelligent pop songs. The album addresses themes of alienation and finding meaning with a typically Flemish mix of seriousness and self-mockery. Lead singer Ben De Wilde’s warm timbre carries the often absurdist lyrical lines with conviction, supported by lush arrangements that integrate influences from krautrock to chanson. “Bennie” as the title track functions as a character study of contemporary boredom, whilst “Maandag” explores the weekend blues phenomenon with unexpected musical turns. The band shows their European sensibility by integrating different languages and musical traditions without sounding pretentious. Productionally, the album sounds warm and organic, with space for improvisation within structured songs. For lovers of intelligent pop with philosophical undertones, this album offers enough layers to remain engaging for a long time. (Norman vanden Wldenberg) (8/10) (PIAS)