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#26
Dubstar | One
Northern Writes
According to Quentin Harrison: “It has only been in the last three years that Wilkie and Blackwood (sans Hillier) made a concerted move to revive Dubstar. And as if by magic, a fourth record—One—has now manifested on the boutique imprint Northern Writes to stun loyal fans, surprise cynical critics and woo the uninitiated.
Songwriting wise, One glamorously recasts various “slice of life” perspectives into sweeping song novellas for listeners to wander within. Blackwood often positions herself inside of these compositions in first person, but her semi-chilled chanteuse approach provides a mystique and an observational distance to each song present. Setting aside the nighttime sprawl of “Mantra”—conceived lyrically between Wilkie, Blackwood and Youth—the mass of One is owed to Wilkie and Blackwood who have clearly grown as writers and show no sign of weakness despite Hillier’s absence.
No one expected Dubstar to roar back onto the pop scene with such an accomplished recording, but with One they did just that. Once again, the sky is truly the limit for Wilkie and Blackwood, and if they continue to write and record material as crisp and vivid as this effort, there’s no telling where this reinvigorated pair could journey to next.”
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