Foxes - All I Need

Foxes
All I Need
2016
Spotify

Someone at Foxes label is really trying to do something with her. After her success singing the hook on Zedd's "Clarity" there was little in the way of her crossing over into Pop super stardom. She was going to be different, less glitz, more raw talent, Pop music for Indie fans, but then came Glorious. Released in 2014 this record was one of the most pedestrian efforts I've heard in awhile. There was nothing to set her apart or blow the whole genre up. In a word is was basic. Now a little over a year on Foxes is back with All I Need. This record is markedly better but still lacks that final push that is really going to propel her where her voice and billing believe she should be. Let's not mince words Foxes has a Grammy for her work with Zedd so expectations are understandably high, she just has not been able to capture that same magic. Songs like "If You Leave Me Now" which are supposed to be these soaring anthems are just missing that final push over the edge. Foxes is someone you really want to root for with her down to earth personality and attempt at bringing a bit of Indie cred to Pop music but for the most part it doesn't work.

That is not to say there are not high points on the record. "Body Talk" is a decent song and "Amazing" has some really good aspects, it just lacks that certain something that pushes it over the edge. Also All I Need was released as a deluxe record on streaming services seemingly for no reason. On a Pop record there is no need to pump out 16 tracks when maybe four have the potential to break through. It seems like the team behind Foxes is telling her to BE cool rather than her fun self and people are just far to savvy these days not to see right through that. People beg for authenticity because it connects with them on a visceral level, even when it comes to pop music. When you listen to this record unlike others you are really rooting for it to be good. You would be hard pressed to find someone that is not rooting for Foxes but these past two albums just do not have the juice. You should walk away from a Pop record with it stuck in your head and on All I Need that simply does not happen. Here's hoping for the next time Foxes.

4.6 out of 10