London based lads Duncan James, Antony Costa, Lee Ryan, and Simon Webbe that make Blue, have come a long way since their first release in May 2001. Two albums, and upteen music awards, Blue are officially one of the biggest pop acts, not only in India, but all over the world.

Their third offering ‘Guilty’ is a confident collection of classic r’n’b/pop tracks featuring some of the best song writers and produces around. Their styles have not changed. The start off is ‘Stand Up’ a strong piece and a great song, catchy and pure Blue material. The bubblegum-popping-bouncy-sunshine boys live it up with guests artists Stevie Wonder and Angie Stone on the medium slow based Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours that has good moments. The quartet’s lyrical effort maybe nil, but it surely has a few messages which are as important as the music

Other standouts is the title track, Guilty which is slow and saucy enough for cupid to strike. The lyrics are beautiful and hypnotic. Moving a few paces ahead we have Alive that has a nice beat, and is softy- sounding. A perfect vehicle for their high harmonies is the easy and soulful Breathe Easy or even the peppy repetitive, Back it up. There’s sex appeal in the balladic dancefloor classic ’Walk away’ and the lyrically impressive slow unfathomable dreamy No Goodbyes. For the men we have a very aptly titled track, How’s a man supposed to change? that serves good food for thought. This one makes you feel good inside in a mellow sort of groove. On the whole album, there’s husky mumblings and bluesy guitar noodlings which chug modestly along in Blue’s moderately tuneful and tasteful songs.

The whole album has a mushy feeling all over, making them possibly just another R&B/Pop band who do a good job of creating smooth harmonies on their album. There are lavish amounts of up-beat R&B nicely balanced out with a couple of lovely ballads. The boys show their maturity on the new album in their vocals right through. Blue burrow their songs of love and defiance, pride and prejudice, into your brain, to stay rooted there for a long time. They’re the industry’s darlings at the moment, so they’re doing what they please, and chances are you’re sure going to like it. As you can imagine, there are many fans who simply adore them and just can’t wait for more of their music in the short span that they have been around. Here then is Blue all new and worth investigating.

Overall rating ***

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira