Music Reviews

Youn Sun Nah

Elles

Youn Sun Nah Elles review https://the-ear.net

Warner Music

Formats available: Download, CD, Vinyl

Elles is Korean born French based singer Youn Sun Nah’s 12th album. It contains a string of unique, sensual and very intimate interpretations of iconic songs. Jon Cowherd brilliantly complements Nah’s expressive vocals on piano and various electronic keyboards.

With the exception of two tracks, Elles is consists of renditions of an interesting collection of songs associated with jazz and rock. Her version of Jefferson Airplane’s White Rabbit transforms the song and offers a whole new way of relating to both the tune and it’s lyrics.  Other unique interpretations include the spiritual Sometimes I feel like a Motherless Child which is turned in to a grand and aching lament, and a version of Nina Simone’s Feeling Good hits a spot that the original never suggested. Her take on Grace Jones’ strange I’ve Seen That Face Before and Roberta Flack’s Killing Me Softly are similarly revealing with a rich palette of expression and meanings. There is even a lovely homage to Edit Piaf with La Foule.

The 96/24 digital release is exemplary.  It is so three dimensional that you can extend a listening room with it, the sound is almost analogue with deep fast bass and smooth vocals. This is the third Youn Sun Nah album I have had the pleasure of being exposed to, it is to my ears her best yet. A scintillating performance by a diva who is only getting better with time.

Reuben Klein

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