This week saw Anastacia release her sixth studio album Resurrection following a difficult year where she has battled with breast cancer for the second time. The diagnosis came part way through promoting her fifth studio album It’s A Man’s World where she covered rock songs originally recorded by men. During her cancer treatment and subsequent recovery, Anastacia wrote and recorded Resurrection.
Resurrection is a 10-track album that marks a return to the ‘sprock’ sound she sported on her most successful album Anastacia back in 2004. The singer has co-written 7 of the tracks on the record and the theme of survival is clear throughout. Having been through cancer twice, Anastacia is no stranger to surviving and using her music to vent her feelings and inspire her fans.
The album kicks off with Staring at the Sun which recalls Anastacia’s signature sound. Her powerful and soulful vocals tear through a midtempo beat signalling that she’s back and ready to take on the charts once again. Much of the album is introspective with possibly the most personal lyrics we’ve heard from Anastacia.
Lifeline, which interestingly she didn’t co-write, is one of the most emotional moments on the record and it’s hard not to get a lump in your throat as Anastacia sings ‘is it the end, somebody tell me if I’ve just wasted a lifetime’. Elsewhere on the record the stripped-down Apology showcases a softer side of Anastacia’s powerful voice whilst I Don’t Want To Be The One is the kind of big ballad that is an Anastacia trademark.
The most emotive track comes on Stay which pairs Anastacia’s voice with a delicate piano melody. She lays her heart on the line and sings with all the honesty she can convey before defiantly belting ‘stay’ presumably talking about defeating cancer for a second time.
What Resurrection is missing is the classic uptempo moments we’ve come to expect from Anastacia. Much of the album sits in the ballad territory and is a reflective body of work. It’s understandable why the album has the tone it does but we would have loved a couple of uptempo bangers from the feisty singer. The closest she gets is on lead single Stupid Little Things which is a strong release from the singer.
Resurrection is a welcome return for Anastacia. Is her best album? No it’s not but it’s a solid effort from the personality-filled diva with the big voice. There are moments of magic on the album but unfortunately the lack of variety means that on occasion the tracks segue into one another. We’re big fans of Anastacia and are hoping she brings back her feisty edge on her next collection.
