Classic of classics… to talk about Michael Bolton is to talk about a musically extraordinary career, a Grammy winner, Emmy-nominated, and with over 20 studio albums endorsing his impeccable dedication to creating and creating, where, in addition to possessing one of the most privileged voices in the world, he has also composed his own songs.
Today, we discuss his latest studio album, “Spark Of Light”, an album that keeps him current and positively modernizes, collaborating with a group of young producers who were responsible for refreshing one of the most important singers in the United States. This is Michael Bolton’s first album of original songs, co-written.
We would like to thank D Music Marketing and Pyper for recommending the album for review.
What can we hear?
We can listen to a current Michael Bolton, and there is a noticeable and excellent collaboration with the producers to make his songs sound extremely modern. Reflecting a bit on Michael Bolton’s career, he has focused on ballads, but he has also delved into Rock with songs like ‘Old Time Rock & Roll’, always maintaining his distinctive 80s style.
In ‘Spark Of Light,’ we hear him completely immersed in ballads, with production quality that utilizes digital technology in every phase, specifically designed to showcase Michael’s voice at all times. While we can hear the passage of years, it’s impressive how he has taken care of his vocal cords, still reaching very high notes, as evident in ‘Safe’, showcasing melismas worthy of note as influences.
The collaboration with Justin Jesso in ‘Beautiful World’ is appreciated, an American singer who undoubtedly fulfilled one of his dreams by singing alongside one of the greatest American legends in music. Additionally, this collaboration adds even more variety to the work, suggesting that Michael Bolton aimed to reach a younger audience.
His first album of original songs
For the first time in over 20 studio albums, Michael Bolton presents in ‘Spark of Light’ 100% of the songs written by himself, co-authored with a group of composers who perfected each of the tracks. We are pleased that the album is very positive, addressing themes such as life, love, hope, and happiness, as stated by Michael Bolton himself: ‘It’s a kind of broad spectrum of events that brought together all these different characters and elements.’
“Spark Of Light” is consistent in both its sound and themes, defining it as an album written from the soul, as we are sure Michael Bolton has a myriad of experiences at the age of 70.
Having listened to the album more than six times, we can affirm that it is a work that radiates high-frequency energy at any moment, transitioning from sensitive tracks like ‘Whatever She Wants’ to much more uplifting ones like ‘Just The Beginning.
Spark of Light: A smooth and coherent listening experience
It sometimes happens that when artists aim to modernize, the results can sound ‘forced.’ However, in this case, Michael Bolton’s producers managed to create a very smooth album that sounds modern without overdoing it, proposing a very interesting fusion between the classic and the contemporary.
“Spark Of Light” is a recommended album to put you in a mood of heightened emotions, with notable impeccable vocal technique. A great job; it’s always appreciated when legends like this release albums, as you can feel their love for music and their intention to experiment with new styles.
What are your thoughts on this album? Feel free to leave your comments down below!
