Released 60 years ago
The New Look
Fontella Bass · 1966
35 min · 12 tracks · blues
A vibrant blend of soul and pop, showcasing Fontella Bass's powerful vocals and emotive delivery across infectious melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Rescue Me — As Bass's signature song, 'Rescue Me' encapsulates her powerful vocal style and the urgency of longing for love, making it an anthem for the era.
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Oh No, Not My Baby — This track showcases Bass's ability to convey heartache through soul-stirring vocals, highlighting a shift towards a more pop-oriented sound while retaining emotional depth.
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I'm a Woman — 'I'm a Woman' stands out for its empowerment theme, with Bass's assertive delivery marking a bold statement about female identity in a male-dominated society.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong vocal performances and engaging arrangements, balancing upbeat tracks with reflective moments.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a mid-tempo track that sets a soulful tone, followed by a series of upbeat songs that maintain energy through the first half.
- Bass's vocal delivery is consistently powerful, often layering harmonies in the choruses to enhance emotional impact.
- Several tracks feature prominent brass arrangements that complement the rhythm section, creating a rich, vibrant sound.
- The last three tracks slow down the tempo, providing a contrast to the earlier energetic pieces and allowing for a reflective conclusion.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- heartfelt melodies for emotional moments
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
- uplifting energy for joyful gatherings
- nostalgic vibes for reflective afternoons
- powerful vocals that command attention
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy, sprawling compositions
- seek aggressive, high-energy tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1966, The New Look marked Fontella Bass's third studio album, following her breakout hit 'Rescue Me' from 1965. At this point, Bass was establishing herself as a prominent voice in the soul genre, transitioning from her earlier gospel influences to a more mainstream sound that would define her career.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Etta James· Aretha Franklin· Nina Simone
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Our Day Will Come 3:45
- 2 How Glad I Am 2:41
- 3 Oh No, Not My Baby 2:39
- 4 Rescue Me 2:50
- 5 Gee Whiz 2:28
- 6 I'm a Woman 2:29
- 7 Since I Fell for You 3:24
- 8 Impossible 2:49
- 9 You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' 3:24
- 10 Soul of the Man 3:30
- 11 Come and Get These Memories 2:18
- 12 I Know 3:08
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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