Bbc Focus 2013 04

Much can be said about the late Amy Winehouse, one of the U.K.'s flagship vocalists during the 2000s. The British press and tabloids seemed to focus on her rowdy behavior, heavy consumption of alcohol, and tragic end, but fans and critics alike embraced her rugged charm, brash sense of humor, and distinctively soulful and jazzy vocals. Her platinum-selling breakthrough album, Frank (2003), elicited comparisons ranging from Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan to Macy Gray and Lauryn Hill. Interestingly enough, despite her strong accent and vernacular, one can often hear aspects of each of those singers' vocal repertoires in Winehouse's own voice. Nonetheless, her allure had always been her songwriting – almost always deeply personal but best known for its profanity and brutal candor.

The most compelling arc in the story of a major pop act is always the one where their sound deepens and matures, with the band finally balancing who they are with who the label wants them to be. From the start, Little Mix have been on a mission to perfect this balance, countering their televised coronation as winners of U.K.'s The X Factor in 2011 with albums that showcase their soulful voices and knack for multi-part harmony with believably righteous feminist and sex-positive messages. Released in 2018, the aptly titled LM5 feels like the apotheosis of this journey, and once again presents the group as an empowered pop force to be reckoned with.

The most compelling arc in the story of a major pop act is always the one where their sound deepens and matures, with the band finally balancing who they are with who the label wants them to be. From the start, Little Mix have been on a mission to perfect this balance, countering their televised coronation as winners of U.K.'s The X Factor in 2011 with albums that showcase their soulful voices and knack for multi-part harmony with believably righteous feminist and sex-positive messages. Released in 2018, the aptly titled LM5 feels like the apotheosis of this journey, and once again presents the group as an empowered pop force to be reckoned with.

The most compelling arc in the story of a major pop act is always the one where their sound deepens and matures, with the band finally balancing who they are with who the label wants them to be. From the start, Little Mix have been on a mission to perfect this balance, countering their televised coronation as winners of U.K.'s The X Factor in 2011 with albums that showcase their soulful voices and knack for multi-part harmony with believably righteous feminist and sex-positive messages. Released in 2018, the aptly titled LM5 feels like the apotheosis of this journey, and once again presents the group as an empowered pop force to be reckoned with.