Nine years after winning hearts on a British TV talent show, English sweetheart Connie Talbot returns to the music scene with her fourth album: a mish-mash of stellar vocals, cliché pop sounds, and so-so attempts to sound different.
Matters to Me kicks off with a mediocre attempt at a power pop anthem, Shut Up (Move On), with lyrics teetering between empowerment and teenage angst. What follows is a mixed bag of forgettable songs, pop-chart potentials, and hidden gems.
Ironically, the freshest sounds are the covers, like a catchy Afro-electronic rendition of Katy Perry’s Roar and a soulful ukulele version of I’ll Be There to excite fans of ’90’s TV show Friends.
The guitar-heavy Those Days is an unexpected marvel, while the title track gives Talbot’s voice time to shine. Understated closer This Is Home is a soft yet strong ballad dedicated to her estranged sister and the strength of home.
Not horrible, not outstanding, the wannabe Taylor Swift leaves listeners a bit ‘meh’ with a cringey, albeit cohesive, set of sounds.