Review: Self-Titled 'Melanie C' is an Elevated Musical Feast That Fully Engages Every Sense and Sound

Spice up your life! The girl-power domination exhibited by the 90s pop quintet marketably known as the Spice Girls, was a phenomenon of such epic proportions, it was inevitable the bubble would burst! The five talented artists that inspired a revolution with the uplifting and affirming pop tunes, made their mark, banked their cash, and eventually emerged the fortitude of their chrysalis like butterflies soaring wildly independently. Following her pursuit to fuel her fire Melanie C remained a formidable force on the pop spectrum.

Her contemporaries made sizable efforts to explore varying genres and allowed for their own identities to nourish their next musical evolution; as Melanie C exhibited a temperamental resilience to master the every facet of dance/pop. Whether it went heavy house beats, base-infused guitar rock riffs, or stuck to the electro-synth front, Melanie C found a sound that she could slink herself into and keep herself relevant. On her latest effort, "Melanie C" the self-titled eighth in her solo-career, the artist has proven her independence and lyrically lays it all out.

With the pandemic having effectively shuttered the club scene, every opportunity to find a reason to rescue the groove is highly appreciated. There's so much to wrap around yourself with in Melanie C's new album, that when you come across a track like "In and Out of Love" you can't help but let the rhythm take over. The nu-disco inspired melody perfectly suits her personality and has that familiar buoyancy that we've come to associate with the artist; which is very interesting to acknowledge the bit of restraint that is part of the tracks allure.

If you haven't attempted to indulge in Melanie C's vocal distinction, here's the perfect opportunity to jump on in. The album's opener "Who I Am" sets the tone and like a silky siren, Melanie C layers the lyrical dynamics with electro-flourish, giving the song's effervescence the perfect platform to showcase her vocal ability and synergy. There's a touch of Donna Summer and punk rebellion that is reminiscent of Blondie front woman Debbie Harry. The album started taking shape while the Spice Girls reunion Tour of 2019 wrapped up, and evolved from there.

Inspired by her numerous PRIDE appearances that crisscrossed the globe, Melanie C connected with the dance faithful among the LGBTQ community and found a liberating inspiration in the carnival scene. She admits that she took that energy in and channelled it into her writing when it came time to give "Melanie C" (the album) it's shape. Melanie C was ready to share the project with the world and then a global pandemic hit, and she had to rethink her strategy when quarantine was about to present its own set of challenges.

She took a cue from her single "Fearless". The duet with UK rapper Nadia Rose, is an thumbs-up to keeping the faith and really staring the ugly down. She proclaims "there ain't no better time than now...and there ain't no other way to wear your crown." It's something we should all take to heart; the track symbolizes where Melanie C sees herself right now, and on "Melanie C" she is encouraging us all to keep the faith. She may have been out for a minute, but she got up when she was down: "Here I Am" is the epitome of an anthem. Melanie C was never one to quit.

Good for us she continues to find a reason to evolve and expose her artistry. "Melanie C" is an elevated musical feast and fully engages every sense and sound. If this is indeed who Melanie C is, she is every bit the pop-dance diva she's fashioned herself into, and is only going to get better.

"Melanie C" by Melanie C
available on CD and Digital music platforms
$10.99
Melanie C website