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Introducing Joss Stone | Joss Stone
Virgin Records | March 3rd

Review by Tarang Chawla

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Sounds like … the awkward silence that ensues when you can’t remember the name of the person who was just introduced to you.

Introducing Joss Stone showcases a nineteen-year old Brit with a huge voice whose songwriting prowess leaves something to be desired. As her third studio album it poses the question: Why introduce yourself now? According to Stone, her two previous efforts (2003’s debut Soul Sessions, and 2004’s Mind, Body & Soul) didn’t reveal the ‘real her’, yet given the freedom Stone purports to assert on Introducing it falls short of the nuanced, independent performance she is striving to achieve.

Introducing begins with a speech by former English Footballer Vinnie Jones that sounds decidedly irrelevant – less like a definition and more like an outtake from Snatch as he explains that ‘it takes balls to change’. Aside from the fact that Jones is starting to sound like a parody of himself, one other small detail becomes clearer and clearer as the album progresses - Joss Stone definitely lacks balls, and not much has changed.

While Stone’s voice packs a hefty punch, her natural talent is not enough to get her through 14 tracks. Introducing sounds like one long song with the occasional big-name collaboration. While these cameos provide this pop R&B record with some critical clout, at best the inclusion of Common and Lauryn Hill seems like an all-too-obvious marketing tactic.

There can be no disputing Stone’s ability to carry a tune but on Introducing it appears she amalgamates her influences with an overzealous approach to production and attempts to make up for constantly holding back with a new crimson red hair ‘do and flamboyant cover art. It’s not ‘nice to meet you’ with Introducing, rather a perplexed, ‘You’ve changed, man!’

5 out of 10