If you follow me on Twitter, then you might have noticed a couple of my tweets written about Corinne Bailey Rae’s latest album,  The Sea.  I admit, I was only a casual fan of her past music,  liking a few songs here and there.  I remember when the horrible news of her husband’s death broke and my heart went out to her.  All was quiet for about a year after that, and then I heard she was coming out with a new album.  I started reading a few of her interviews after she broke her silence  and she sounded pretty upbeat, if not nervous.

I was apprehensive about checking out her new CD, because I wasn’t sure if it would be too dark–not that there is anything wrong with that– but it just isn’t what I’m looking for at the moment.  However, I am pleasantly surprised.  I believe I’ve listened to her new album almost three times without skipping a song.   It’s not a dark album.  There is a  sense of intimacy and vagueness in many  of her songs.   A quote from her interview with the  Telegraph is a very accurate way to describe the feelings:

“There are feelings that I found hard to explain; words are insufficient. Tenses I find really difficult. How do you refer to now? How do you refer to somebody that has been but you don’t want to put an end on it? That was difficult. Similarly, with Are You Here, it’s a question and a statement at the same time.”

My listening experience was very smooth and soothing. And there are definitely more upbeat tunes, but not “club dancing” upbeat.  Instead, they are more for grooving in your chair or moving your head from side to side.   Ms. Bailey Rae has turned me into a solid fan with this new album.  I definitely see a long career for her and I hope she continues to churn out the good music–because Lord knows we all need it these days.

P.S. On a shallow note, I’m also in love with her hair.  The big, poofy curly hair is my newest hair obsession.  During my last trip to my hairstylist, we tried to duplicate the look.  Usually, I just have her flat iron my hair straight, and I was ready to do it during this visit.  Then I remembered Corinne’s style.  I told her and we were racing on our Iphone and Blackberry trying to find pictures of exactly what it looks like, because she had not seen her lately.  My stylist went to work, but unfortunately, it was too straight and whatever curls I had fell in the rain.  I’ve passively tried channeling her style when I do my hair at home, but I don’t think I’ve really gotten it down:

Sorry if I look tired. I tried to put my best forward, but I am actually in my pajamas and ready to make dinner. And I don't know why my face looks so shiny, either!Â

What do you think?  No?  Yeah, me either.