Artist – Roxanne de Bastion
Album – You & Me, We Are The Same
Released – 3rd September 2021
Reviewer – Graham Holland, Liverpool Acoustic
I’ve been trying to decide what makes You & Me, We Are The Same – the new album from Berlin born, London based musician Roxanne de Bastion – sound so familiar.
Could it be due to the fact we’ve already been treated to five of the tracks – Erase, Heavy Lifting, Molecules, I Remember Everything and Ordinary Love – since May 2020?
Maybe it’s down to Roxanne’s beautiful, clear, and instantly recognisable voice, as unique as her fingerprints.
Or it could be because of the songs, each one different, each one unmistakably a Roxanne de Bastion creation?
Whatever the reason (and it’s probably a combination of all three) it’s been a real delight for me to delve into de Bastions’ first album since 2017’s formative release ‘Heirlooms and Hearsay’.
De Bastion describes You & Me, We Are The Same as ‘cathartic’ with the songs being written during the two years before her father (who was also a talented musician) passed away. I’m sure Richard, who was able to listen to most of the songs before he died, will have been rightly proud.
The album is produced by legendary guitarist and producer Bernard Butler, who makes a guest appearance on Ordinary Love playing a 12 string guitar once owned by Johnny Marr!
For those of you who are more familiar with Roxanne’s solo, mainly acoustic shows streamed online during lockdown, this album is a revelation. For what we have here is an incredibly mature slice of pop that’s a treat for the soul, showcasing melancholy and reflection alongside warmth and joy, and becoming an instant favourite in the process.
Graham Holland
© 2021 Liverpool Acoustic
You & Me, We Are The Same is released on Friday 3rd September 2021 and is available to buy and stream from all major digital download stores here: biglink.to/roxannedebastion