If they maintained a more than acceptable level in the discography of the Canadian legend, the last two opuses of Bryan Adams had not represented summits. Preceded by four singles, the new album entitled "So Happy It Hurts" is released in this new year and seems to want to set the record straight. For that, the man with the sandpaper voice surrounded himself with some faithful people, as if to gather all the facets of his prolific career. Thus, the unavoidable Keith Scott still holds the six-string while Jim Vallance and Mutt Lange co-write most of the tracks with the famous master of the place.
The result is a collection whose twelve tracks, like a musical kaleidoscope, allow us to travel in the universe that the artist has offered us for more than forty years. The most commercial side represented by some pieces with the prominent mark of Mutt Lange ('Let's Do This') will continue to divide the fans, but it is fully part of the identity of Bryan Adams and, as such, has totally its place here. And then a 'Lift Me Up' fits perfectly with the general optimism in which bathes this opus wanted as the translation of the post-confinement liberation and the return to the simple values of life.
Launched by the eponymous title and its unstoppable chorus, "So Happy It Hurts" contains its share of nuggets in the middle of less unavoidable pieces, among which another hymn to optimism with 'Never Gonna Rain' and its reptilian bass, or the tough 'I Ain't Worth Shit Without You'. But the top of this opus is without any doubt the single 'Kick Ass' which will probably be shouted during the next concerts of the Canadian. Its opening, declaimed by the eternal Monthy Python John Cleese, seems to pay tribute to Mötley Crüe as well as to Manowar by its cinematic approach. But it is especially to AC/DC and its 'Let There Be Rock' that this devastating and unstoppable rock refers with its lyrics and its riff.
Without reaching the summits of Bryan Adams' discography, "So Happy It Hurts" is nevertheless an excellent delivery whose variety and positive energy make its strength. This opus is also a good way to find all the facets of the identity of an artist who knew how to cross the decades with talent. From the top of his 62 years, the man is still in great shape and he intends to continue to pour his optimism for the greatest happiness of everyone.