Celeste - Not Your Muse

The Guardian 0

(Polydor)
Some bold moments reveal the soul singer’s potential to be much more than the voice of TV jingles and Adele stop-gaps

It’s possible that many people are already sick of Celeste without even knowing her name. Watchers of Sky Sports may well want to lob a sock at the woman who wails “You’ll never stop this flame!” every time there’s a break in the football. If treacly John Lewis Christmas adverts are not your thing, there’s a strong chance you may never want to hear from the “give a little love” singer ever again. Those allergic to the notion of popular music as a set of commercial tick-box imperatives may also stifle at yawn at Celeste’s calming, jazz-tinged soul.

As middle of the road as this singer undoubtedly seems, there is, however, much to commend her debut album, Not Your Muse – a gutsier, wiser and more elliptical set of songs than may at first appear. The title hints that Celeste possesses a backbone as well as a pleasing catch in her voice and an aerated soprano when you least expect it.