When you have the main writing credits on two of the great turn-of-the-century British pop songs – Pure Shores and Never Ever – a follow-up is no easy task. Indeed, in 2004, three years after girl group All Saints announced their breakup, founding member Shaznay Lewis’s debut solo album, Open, felt a bit tepid.
Two decades on – years encompassing motherhood, various All Saints reunions and several stints songwriting for other artists – a self-assured Lewis is back with another solo project. On the whole, Pages fizzes along; there is sumptuous, exuberant instrumentation on the dreamy Kiss of Life, with its formidable, hazy vocals; skittering energy on Good Mourning, featuring General Levy and Shola Ama, threaded through with euphoria; and delectable, disco-nodding strings on Tears to the Floor. The album is a little clunky in places – the slightly grating refrain on Hearts in Danger; the well-meaning but ultimately cloying affirmation from Self Esteem on Pick You Up (imploring Lewis to believe in herself). Still, this is a solid, polished collection of pop songs, infused with nostalgic touchstones of 90s and 00s UK sounds.
