Emeli Sandé Gives Pain a Voice With Rapturous ‘Long Live the Angels’

Stephanie Hernandez

American audiences may know Scottish recording artist and songwriter Emeli Sandé as the singer who communicated raw emotion on a deeply cellular level at the opening and closing of the 2012 London Olympics. Though Sandé’s voice is the object of national pride and rightfully so. Her debut album “Our Version of Events” took the Critics Choice Award at the 2012 Brit Awards and spent 10 weeks at number one, becoming the U.K.’s best selling album that year. “Our Version of Events” introduced the world to Sandé’s strengths, visceral songwriting, conquering vocals and the ability to blend new age R&B with gospel and dance. The success of her debut hit hard. Taking a step back Sandé, found the spotlight restricting. In the four years between albums, Sandé continued working behind the scenes as a songwriter, helping Katy Perry with “It Takes Two,” and Mary J. Blige with “Whole Damn Year.” She also divorced. Now Sandé is back to take another victory lap with second album, “Long Live the Angels.”

The 15 tracks on “Long Live the Angels” are influenced by Sandé’s Zambian background. Featuring her father and cousins as a choir, tracks such as “Tenderly” also blend syncopated guitars and joyous horns. Mixing that with the handclaps and signature sweeping strings, “Hurts,” explodes into the emotion that feels familiar to those who have ever been wronged by a partner; Sandé gives that pain a voice. With the inhibitions of being a new artist behind her, “Long Live the Angels” the recording feels like a candid conversation. It touches on everything one questions during a breakup, spirituality, rebirth and validation. Listeners get to hear Sandé move from a stripped down vulnerable track such as “Selah” to the mounting strength of “Breathing Underwater,” featuring a powerful gospel choir. The record feels cinematic in its orchestral arrangements, yet relatable in its personal declarations of pain.

“Long Live the Angels” feels vulnerable but not weak, it feels raw and strong. A powerful journey through heartache, Sandé’s willingness to lay genuine emotion on the table is met with open ears from all those who have been in an all too familiar position. Her voice carries a quality of authenticity. Listeners can’t help but become entangled in the fibers of her tales, and that’s where she wants you.

Emeli Sandé’s “Long Live the Angels” is available on Apple Music Nov. 11.