LENNY KRAVITZ: Blue Electric Light (ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

At 60 years of age, Lenny Kravitz hasn't aged a day. You only have to see the video for 'TK421', the single released as a preview, to be convinced. Six years after "Raise Vibration", which did the job with all its qualities and shortcomings, here comes "Blue Electric Light", announced by three extracts released ahead of its release and whetting our curiosity and appetite.

'TK421', 'Human' and 'Paralyzed' reminded us that the New Yorker was a jack-of-all-trades, and that he was talented in any style. With its groovy, electro-enhanced funk, 'TK421' sounds like the offspring of James Brown and Prince. Catchy and energizing, it flies in all directions for an unstoppable result. Simple, light and engaging, the pop soul of 'Human' is sweet and bright with its percussion and bells. On the other hand, 'Paralyzed' delivers a heavy 70's rock sound bordering on hard rock. Powerful and catchy, it reveals the discreet shadow of Jimi Hendrix and unleashes a superb break/solo sequence.

It's fair to say that, after such an appetizer, the rest of this opus had to live up to the hype. And, as usual with this artist, there's plenty to marvel at, as well as a few regrets about some of the intensity s that have unfortunately become traditional. In this respect, the repetitive electro of 'Let It Ride' quickly goes round in circles. As for 'Bundle Of Joy', resurrected after 40 years, it sounds really kitschy and drags on and on. However, Lenny Kravitz seems to have remained more focused than usual, and these wanderings are the only real missteps. Among the successes are the soul peaks 'It's Just Another Fine Day (In This Universe Of Love)' and 'Honey'. The former kicks things off with a superb build-up, while the latter is as suave as its name suggests, and would not have been out of place alongside some Marvin Gaye tracks.

Groovy and energetic, "Blue Electric Light" ultimately proves to be one of Lenny Kravitz's best deliveries, blending the artist's various influences and demonstrating coherence. Suffering from fewer weak moments than some of its predecessors, it is likely to occupy playlists of fans and FM airwaves during the summer. Given the man's shape, it's a safe bet that this opus will have successors. It remains to be hoped that they will demonstrate the same homogeneity. - Official website

LENNY KRAVITZ

BLUE ELECTRIC LIGHT

BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT

ROCK