My Songs (2019)
My Songs is a record that features re-recorded versions of some of Sting's most beloved solo and Police tracks. While the idea of revisiting classic songs and updating them for modern audiences may seem appealing, the end result did not necessarily improve any of the songs. That might not have been the idea or the goal, and it could’ve been more of an answer to the question of, “What if Sting wrote and made all of these hit songs today?”
One of the main issues with My Songs is that the updates and modern-day production techniques used on the tracks feel unnecessary and don't add much to the original songs. Sting was already on the cutting edge at the time he was releasing the originals and the production of many of his iconic songs have great production.
While some of the songs have been given a more electronic or dance-inspired sound, these updates don't necessarily improve the songs. They don’t detract from the originals, but they also don’t add much. With the exception of an updated version of Fragile, which I do believe is better than the original. That said, the album is not without its merits. Sting's vocals are as strong and emotive as ever.
Overall, My Songs should be a 4 and a half star album, but it is an unnecessary album. Therefore it gets docked 1 whole star. Fans of Sting's classic hits may prefer to stick with the original versions of the songs, but if this record is your first exposure to anything Sting related, then you may become a fan right away. This is a tough one.
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Highlight Songs:
Fragile
Desert Rose
Englishman in New York
Message In A Bottle
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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
If this was the only greatest hits album you could find for Sting, then buy it. It does the job and is a good listen, but I prefer the originals for the most part. It’s fun to see what they would sound like in this modern age of music, but if a song is amazing already then it doesn’t need to be tweaked. Stream it and decide which versions you like more and then move on.
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Overall Rating:
3.5 Stars
