Joan Armatrading
enjoyed something of a career resurgence with 2021's
Consequences
, an album that saw her return to the U.K.'s Top Ten for the first time since 1983. But the veteran English singer/songwriter has never really gone away. Although her output slowed somewhat in the 21st century, she has maintained a remarkably consistent presence, creating a body of work that is uniform in quality and craft. In the 2010s, she became a staunch D.I.Y. home recordist, playing, engineering, and mixing her albums almost entirely by herself. Such is the case with 2024's
How Did This Happen and What Does It Now Mean
, a rangy and eclectic 12-song set that covers a lot of musical ground. Now in her early seventies,
Armatrading
seems more interested in challenging herself artistically than revisiting past glories. She recently composed her first classical work, Symphony No. 1, which premiered in London in late 2023. On
, she tries on a number of chameleonic styles while simultaneously stretching herself as a producer and multi-instrumentalist. For an artist this deep into her career,
sings and plays with surprising vitality. Her brand of pop/rock feels kinetic, especially on uptempo highlights like "25 Kisses," "Someone Else," and "I'm Not Moving," which sparkle with bright melodies and rhythmic hooks. There are love songs, soulful R&B ballads, bluesy vamps, and a pair of instrumental cuts devoted solely to distorted guitar shredding. One of those, "Now What," is particularly vigorous with a jazzy art-rock feel and some deft soloing. Sure, it's a little indulgent, but that's part of the charm of
's late-period renaissance. She's clearly having fun, making the music she wants to make and exploring new facets of her craft. Hopeful, romantic, and energetic,
offers a strong dose of joy in troubled times. ~ Timothy Monger