Album Review: Rush of Life by Julie Atherton

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Julie Atherton releases most personal studio album to date with Rush of Life

West End star Julie Atherton is back on top with the release of her brand-new studio album Rush of Life.

For those who don’t recognise the name, Julie Atherton is a singer/actress and one of Britain’s finest West End stars. She is best known for her work on stage with appearances in shows such as Avenue Q, Sister Act: The Musical and Thérèse Raquin. She is also a successful solo artist with three musical theatre albums to her name.

Rush of Life is Atherton’s third studio album and follows A Girl of Few Words (2006) and No Space for Air (2010). The album features eight new recordings and marks her most personal studio album to date with songs written by some of the industry’s most exciting new writing talents including Craig Adams, Dougal Irvine, Lance Horne and George Maguire.

The album opens with Trail of Behaviour, a memorable pop track featuring guest vocalist John Dagleish (Sunny Afternoon) which instantly hooks you in with its catchy guitar intro and impeccable vocal harmonies.

A cover of Bonnie Raitt’s hit I Can’t Make You Love Me follows with a flawless vocal performance from Atherton. The beautiful ballad builds from a slow and simple number with a soft piano and violin accompaniment, to an epic power ballad with strong, stunning vocals.

If you’re a fan of light, simple numbers, check out Planet Me, with its strong vocals and clever lyrics, Say Something, a quiet ballad with whispering vocals and a soaring chorus, and Somebody New, a beautiful number about a lost love.

The album also features some upbeat tracks including My Own, an epic rock/pop number with frantic powerful vocals, a fast beat and killer electric guitar solo and Your Body, a duet with guest vocalist George Maguire – even Ed Sheeran could have had a hit with this one!

The best track on the album is the title number Rush of Life written by Craig Adam. This catchy pop tune is sure to win you over with its fast, determined vocals, catchy melody and driving beat.

Catchy, clever and refreshingly different, Rush Of Life may not be a stereotypical musical theatre album but its strong writing, catchy musical arrangement and strong vocal performances are sure to make it a hit.

4 out of 5 stars

Rush of Life by Julie Atherton is released on 16 November 2014 through Theatre Bench Records