Amazon.co.uk Review: Award-winning British artist Estelle never got her just desserts for her 2004 debut album The 18th Day. Though the record was a critical success, it failed to make the mainstream splash many had hoped for. Her sophomore project, Shine, seems hell bent on avoiding the same fate. Backed up by a coterie of high profile US starlets--Wyclef Jean, will.i.am, Mark Ronson and Kanye West--Shine has surefire commercial success written all over it; though that's not to say Estelle has sold out. Despite the high-impact American-style production, Shine remains reassuringly British. Estelle's West London twang is as sharp as ever, and even Kanye drops rhymes about "WAGS" and "London Boys" (see single "American Boy"). It's every bit as diverse as its predecessor too, featuring dancehall party jams ("Magnificent", produced by Mark Ronson and featuring Kardinal Offishall), the will.i.am produced "Wait a Minute (Just a Touch)" (which uses a twisted up sample from Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "I Put a Spell on You") to lovers' rock ("Come Over") and, of course, some love ballads too, such as "Substitute Lover", overseen by Wyclef. A solid all-round follow up, Shine should give Estelle the commercial success she deserves. --Danny McKenna
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - The most boring album of the year! Where are the hooks?
Estelle has a good voice no doubt about it and American Boy is one of the songs of the summer. Sadly, such elements have failed to contribute to a memorable album which feels like a rushed cash in with production values so tired, you can ever hear them yawn!
American Boy sounded really fresh with a brilliant use of horns but the rest of the album is just derivative R&B that could have been produced by any female artist within the genre. Estelle struggles to stamp her own identity on ... Read More
Rating: - Finest UK Female Artist Around!
Much like Her 2004 debut album, 'The 18th Day', Shine proves to be an outstanding contribution to the world of UK hip-hop. Featuring collaborations from Kanye West, Will.i.am, Cee-Lo & John Legend, the album had all the ingredients to be a major success. A very summer feeling on the record, and a 2008 must buy!!
Rating: - Second Impression - Lacklustre
I gave this one some time. I really did. "Don't let first
impressions get the better of you" - That's what I told myself.
I want to like Estelle but there's something disingenuous
about this album which keeps me at arm's length.
Perhaps it's the celebrity pals. A pretty blatant US market launchpad.
Perhaps it's the uneasy slipping and sliding between West London
and American brogues...NB 'More Than Friends'.
Rating: - One of the finer albums in 2008
This album is one of the best, solid, seamless yet diverse albums I have heard in 2008. Estelle, for me, is filling that void in the market of credible, soulful R&B/rapper which was ploughed by Lauryn Hill with her 'Miseducation' album. Estelle is no Lauryn Hill, but I am more than satisfied to listen to this until Ms. Hill chooses to return.
After her debut THE 18th DAY I thought that we probably would not hear from her again and she would another talented British artist to disappear into ... Read More
Rating: - FAB ESTELLE !!!! :)
Estelle is the singer we have all been waiting for. A singer that has talent, can sing great hip-hop, is beautiful and who actually looks a cool and down to earth girl. Her sounds on this album are very original and I am always bopping along to this. The songs are groovy, original and perfect for a summer party. This girl cheers you up just by listening to her album. I don't think the music industry has heard such a fab sound before. She is the talent we have been searching for !! All the songs are great ... Read More
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