The phrase “The Queen of AOR” pops up ever so often when Norwegian singer Isabelle Oversveen aka Issa’s name is mentioned, especially when she’s about to release a new record. Thing is, after her brilliant debut Sign Of Angels (2010) her albums has, without being bad, been too samey both in sound and song structure where the later releases sound way to much like those all-star projects from Frontiers. In my review of her last album Queen Of Broken Hearts (2021) I wrote that I hoped that next time she would find herself a new producer and new song-writing partners, maybe to reinvent herself and her style a bit and it happened with this album, something that got my hopes up for maybe another killer like her debut.
The new guy in this time is an unknown guy, for me at least, named Michele Guaitoli who has produced records by bands like Vision Of Atlantis – where he’s also the singer, Kalida and SheWolf, bands that I exactly zero knowledge of. The album was written mostly by Issa’s hubby James Martin and his brother Tom who recently left British AOR rockers Vega where they both were responsible for the majority of the song-writing, something that spontaneously felt like a real up as I happen to like Vega quite a lot. Visually, judging by the album cover, Issa has jumped on the 80’s neon-lights trend that many bands in this genre use right now.
The opening “Live Again” is also the second single released, something that makes sense as it’s a Hard Rock inserted AOR stomper with prominent hooks and an edgy yet smooth outlook. It’s a rhythmic and straight forward and uplifting rocker with memorable melodies all over. I’m wondering if song writers James Martin and Guaitoli have been taking a look at Chez Kane when they wrote the chorus because it sounds very much like Kane’s stuff. I wouldn’t be surprised as Kane has gotten shitloads of praise for her two albums. That said, the chorus is a real catchy one and the song is one of the best I’ve heard from Issa in quite a while.
The very mid 80’s sounding title-track, also a single, comes along upbeat and direct with lots of big keyboards and a crunchy rock-guitar. It’s a fluffy and colorful tune with effective melodies and a big refrain that’s really contagious and comes across like something from the debut. This is really good stuff. On an edgier note “Seize The Day” is an in-your-face and steady rocker in uptempo with some ballsy rhythms and a chunky riff. Still it’s smooth with AOR-laden vocal-melodies. The chorus brings on a poppy touch too and even though it’s pretty catchy it doesn’t really reach its goal. It’s an ok track but just not memorable enough.
“Stop The Rain” comes off as a glossy yet quite large semi-ballad with lots of slick keyboards, quite concise and straight ahead. It’s quite moody, melancholic and atmospheric with prominent vocal-melodies. The chorus however feels a bit streamlined and nothing much happens. Maybe the song would’ve been better more stripped down. It’s decent but also forgettable. “Moon Of Love” continues the moody and melancholic atmospheres. It’s a slow piece but not quite a ballad on a down-beat rhythm. The saddening saxophone solo gives the tune an 80’s touch and so does the pop-flirting melodies. A good tune.
On a much more uplifting and upbeat note “Chains” is a sugar-coated AOR/Pop number with a huge 80’s outlook. It’s a very clean and polished tune that holds a beefy rhythm with chunky guitars but with the keyboards taking over. There are slick melodies that aim for catchiness but the chorus doesn’t really deliver any. Not bad but too generic and standard. The quite sticky pop-rock of “Fight To Survive” is carried by a rhythmic beat that’s almost disco-laden. It’s a hooky number, a bit on the happy-go-lucky side but with a positive outlook and a good festival-happy vibe with a distinct and catchy AOR refrain. Good one.
“It’s Over” comes across as a late 80’s Arena Rock stomper more than an actual AOR-number. It’s more guitar driven where the keyboards gives the song a spice and the rhythm-section is fatter and more muscular. The chorus is huge and sticks right from go with its distinct hook. Should be a single. Very good. The album’s big power ballad comes with “I’ll Give You My Heart” – a big, bombastic and a bit saccharine number taken straight out of 1989, like a Heart light if you will. It’s catchy as hell with a chorus that will have you humming it no matter if you want to or not. I usually have a weak spot for songs like this but for some reason this feels a bit sleepy, too cheesy and doesn’t cut it all the way for me. Good but not great.
“Shadow To The Light” is a very mid-80’s sounding semi-ballad that throws a clear nod towards Whitesnake’s “Is This Love” with it’s flowing rhythm and mellow atmosphere. We get a juicy bass-line and a big keyboard and a clean-cut guitar. The vocal-melodies are smooth and cosy which gives the song a feelgood vibe. It’s a nice song but it never really takes off and I’m left waiting for the punchline. The record closes with “I’ll Be Waiting” – not a Talisman cover – an upbeat AOR tune, quite glossy with some easily embraced melodies. It’s a clean, fluffy number with a good enough chorus.
With a new producer and no involvement from the usual suspects from the Frontiers stable in the song-writing department, I had hoped that this record would differ from the other albums and bring Issa up one – or several – steps on the ladder but it turns out that this is just another Issa record that sounds more or less like the rest of them. Ok, the album is her strongest since The Storm, her second effort but it’s still too uneven and samey. Also, knowing very well that Issa is a brilliant singer with a personal sound and a wide register but it feels like she’s on her highest range more or less all the time which can be strenuous to listen to at times. Her mid and lower range is great and should be used more. It’s a good album but it’s a few steps from being great.
6/10
More Issa reviews:
Sign Of Angels
The Storm
Can’t Stop
Crossfire
Run With The Pack
Queen Of Broken Hearts
Tracklist:
1. Live Again
2. Lights Of Japan
3. Seize The Day
4. Stop The Rain
5. Moon Of Love
6. Chains Of Love
7. Fight To Survive
8. It’s Over
9. I’ll Give You My Heart
10. Shadow To The Light
11. I’ll Be Waiting
CD & Festival reviews 