SIMPLY RED – TIME (Turquoise Vinyl)

Description

Released on May 26, 2023, Time serves as a luminous, self-reflective milestone in Simply Red’s four-decade career, marking their thirteenth studio album and a return to the Warner Music family. Produced by longtime collaborator Andy Wright and recorded at Mick Hucknall’s home studio and London’s Maida Vale, the 12-track record is a sophisticated blend of blue-eyed soul, retro-funk, and breezy pop that leans into Hucknall’s personal evolution as a father and husband. The album is introduced by the stirring lead single “Better With You,” a heartfelt tribute to his wife, while tracks like the groovy, bass-heavy “Just Like You” and the Sinatra-esque “It Wouldn’t Be Me” showcase the band’s signature tight musicianship. Notably, the project balances joyful, uptempo moments with deeper social commentary on songs like “Too Long at the Fair,” where Hucknall ponders the state of a world in “nervous breakdown.” It remains a poignant final record for bassist Steve Lewinson, who passed away in 2024, and stands as a testament to Hucknall’s enduring vocal prowess and his ability to craft timeless, radio-ready soul for a modern audience.