Joan Armatrading – How Did This Happen and What Does It Now Mean

Joan Armatrading introduces this feel-good addition to her decade-spanning discography with infectious lead single I’m Not Moving and an accompanying music video which amplifies the resistance and self-assurance of the titular declaration. The album opens with 25 Kisses, a discofied, Kylie Minogue-adjacent track led by a gorgeous bass tone, overlapping vocal and driving egg-shaker. Someone Else follows, featuring a chorus melody that invites you to harmonise (or at least try to) and a great 80s rock edge that will undoubtedly bring Armatrading’s diehard fans back to the era in which her popularity saw its peak. 

The album does, however, fail to deliver at times. Irresistible is one of the weaker tracks – it feels like Armatrading is doing too much with a song that should have been kept stripped back and basic. Redemption Love is another. Its use of repetition is borderline annoying, the instrumental is completely uninteresting, making this track feel like just another piece of filler on an album that otherwise features some truly captivating songwriting. The title track, for example, is the Joan Armatrading we know and love, and then some: contemplative, wise and deliciously groovy. 

Listen to: 25 Kisses, I’m Not Moving, Someone Else