♫ Album Review: Estelle – Shine ♫
London-born soul singer/rapper Estelle Swaray has finally returned on the scene with a brand new album entitled, Shine (in stores now).
Signed by John Legend to his Homeschool label (the album is a joint venture between Homeschool and Atlantic Records), the singer already created her own fan base when she released the album The 18th Day back in 2003. With the singles “1980,” “Free” and “Go Gone” she definitely had a buzz going on before her trip to the states. Admittedly, when her first single dropped I wasn’t really a fan of Estelle’s music right away. But the more I saw the video and heard the track, she grew on me. And then when ♫ “American Boy” hit, I was sold.
Shine is a beautiful record. From it’s hints of jazz, soul, dance hall, house and world music, it’s an awesome melting pot where many forms of music and expression fuse together to create the singer’s debut. Producers and writers Will.I.Am, Wyclef Jean, Mark Ronson, Cee-Lo, Swizz Beatz, and John Legend come together to form the cohesive new album. Stand-out tracks include, of course, the carefully chosen singles, ♫ “Wait A Minute (Just A Touch),” the Kanye West-featured “American Boy,” as well as “Come Over,” and one of my personal favorites, “Back In Love.”
With Estelle setting the charts ablaze, I’m sure that Shine will shape up to be a very successful album for her.
If you’re digging Estelle’s debut album, Shine, make sure you pick it up in stores today! You can also preview all the new tracks on Amazon.com.
It’s amazing how much her and Brandy favor.
Love Estelle, such a talented artist. She has so many great great songs- I hope she does well in the states because she really deserves it!
Im not really a fan….. but good for her im not mad at her.
I stopped on my way to work and picked up this cd and I love it. This cd is fresh and new. Not that copy cat music we heard so much of on the radio today.
I like this song alot…. she has something to say…
American Boy was ok she has a nice voice.
I saw Estelle recently in concert in DC, and she did alot of her songs from her new album and her 1st album (which many people didn’t know she had-including me), and she was AWESOME!!! Even John Legend came out and performed a few songs with her! I can’t wait to get her album today!
loveee the cd…..got a bit of everything on there
i especially love the dance hall tracks
I’m listening to this album right now. Good stuff Estelle!
I’m really digging “More than Friends”, “No Substitute Love” and “in The Rain”. This whole album is good.
American Boy grown on me too.Now I think, the beat is hot and Kanye’s part is the s***!
THIS IS THE BEST ALBUM OUT! IF YOU MISS THE MUSIC OF ALURYN HILL, THIS ALBUM IS A GOOD SUBSTITUTE. ESTELLE IS THE SHIT! UK FLAVA BABY.
I love her!!!!!!!!!!!!
“you are” is my favorite track. i love the overall vibe of the album
Rhapsody had the album available for listening since last Tuesday, and i’ve listened to it almost everyday since. It really is a genuinely good album, with an eclectic infusion of hip hop, r&b, and carribbean flare. I was actually not a fan at all, but was starting to warm up to “American Boy” because of the video. Since listening to the album, I definitely now hold a respect for Estelle’s artistry.
The Estelle album is the hotness and the first 5 star R&B album this year. Yeah that MiMi shit is whack!
Totally love the CD, esp the dancehall songs.
Finally a good review from Brian. Keep up the good work!
I really like Estelle, her music and what she stands for. Some of yall need to stop letting your eyes (ie. her image) do the talking and just sit back and listen. If Amy Winehouse can blow up then it would be an injustice if Estelle didn’t. She really is the closest thing to the legend that was Lauryn Hill out right now.
Bought my copy today. Im loving it.
#1: I KNOW, RIGHT?!
i wish estelle the best! i’ll probably pick up her cd tonight if not tomorrow!
[gives #17 a hi-five]
i agree!!!
I think I’m going to get her album…it seems like it should be a great CD, but her voice seems especially suited for summer. I wish her all the luck in the world and nowadays we’ve gotten so used to blogs disillusioning us by showing these celebs with cellulite-ridden thighs, crusty feet, and acne that we’re beginning to transition out of that “as long as it looks good” phase. With artists, I mean…we’re recognizing more and more real talent, these days. And, that’s why Amy’s famous and why Estelle will have a solid career (not just a good run). It’s almost kind of lame now to focus so much on being a pretty face…it’s why so many people who ruled the box office and air waves aren’t doing so well…Think about it.
But that wasn’t to say Estelle isn’t a pretty face…she is, IMO. I think she’s gorgeous, but I’m ashamed of myself for seeing her in some fashion layout with a huge ponytail in the top-center of her head…She just looks like she’d be gorgeous like that…of course that would mean wearing a ton of weave.
this record is hot bought it today good to see great quality music out again….. this is what music should sound like!!!!!!!!
AOL First Listen has Estelle’s album, Lyfe’s album, & Lil’ Mama’s album this week:
music.aol.com
im d luve “no subsitute lover” and “in the rain” andd “american boy”
ndd MAGNFICENT..luvin estelle..shes won me ovahh !
You know at first I couldn’t get into Estelle, but after hearing her CD on AOL I just might go pick it up. Good stuff (love the dance hall influences)!
Wow this album got no press, I didn’t know til I came to this site. Lil Mama and Madonna dropped today and its all over. Santogold is getting more press than she is
I had a chance to find some music on LimeWire from Estelle, I am a huge fan. I am 100% my people, and definitely someone like this young lady. She is a talented and I love her style, its ashame that she isn’t getting the press and play that she deserves. If she was some redbone, or latina the black community would be worshiping her has a God as talented as she is.
Keep doing your thing, girl. No matter what you’ll always have a fan in me!
I’ve been blasting Estelle’s album on my iPod for weeks waiting patiently for its American release! Her album is great & I am going 2 buy tomorrow.
MartinLutherKing , please don’t try to clown. Downloading her music from LIMEWIRE is not supporting her. Keep it real. Know Thy Black Self before trying to diss. She is OK, not feeling it that much, honestly. Wish the best for any black artist though
Her music is nice……but she need to change her name. Estelle not
Her album is hot, I brought her first album and that to is hot
she’s really talented and I hope she does well in the States.
HER WHOLE ALBUM IS FIYAH! MAGNIFICIENT, COME OVER, BACK IN LOVE AND YOU ARE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITES. GREAT CD, PLAYING IT RIGHT NOW!
Has everyone heard this CD? I just found a deal of it for $9: dealstudio.com/searchdeals.php?deal_id=100330&ru=279 , it looks cool. If this album is hot, I think I should pick it up.
didn’t even know her album was out. buying it on itunes right now
OMG she tore it down in NYC yesterday!!! Brought out Gym class, Kardinal official, Rah Digga, and John Legend! It’s crazy how she sounds just like the CD. Her band is young african-american men who stay locked in and on point, and her background singers have some serious vocals. She’ll do so wonderful, the rest of the US and the world must catch up because she’s way ahead of her peers with this, and she has a good circle. I got 2 copies today, get yours…More Than Friends, Pretty Please and Come Over hands down will make you wanna dance with your grandma, be mad at your spouse, and have a sex. This girl has a blend of music that is next to none at this point in the music industry, and is a down to earth person. I wish her the best, she’s great! Thanks Estelle for the great music, and for making everyone step their game up, this is easily a classic album!
This album is amazing…I’m listening to it for the 3rd time in a row..I love “Come Over”. and “You Are”…I love how I don’t have to skip thru tracks I can let the entire album play..Big Up Estelle..I Love the album
Raven-Symone’s 4th studio self-titled album was released in stores today also. Show her some love and support and pick up a copy!!!!
Oh Sh@#
REAL MUSIC = On repeat allday in the whip
I am totally getting this album!
Got the cd…listening right now at my desk and it is straight fiyah!!
It is worth the money spent…people go out and support good music!!
this cd is banging.. love..love..no substitute love…this album rocks, get it estelle
ALBUM OF THE YEAR!!!! hands down!
ive never been the biggest fan of estelle ever since she came out (here in the UK) but im very pround of her now, i think her album is really good, she’s really on this reggae ting! and i hope my man HALF PINT is getting royalties for “no sustitute love”. that is a reggae CLASSIC, google it!
This Album is the ish!!!!!!!!!!! I luv it from begining to end!
Yo, heard a song from estelle today, She’s alright.
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