Now seven albums into her career, one-time wunderkind Joss Stone has failed to get her critical due, arguably because her personality quirks – such as the adoption of an American accent at the 2007 Brit awards – have overshadowed her undeniable talent. Water for Your Soul contains similar elements of cultural appropriation: the pro-weed track Sensimilla will prompt mass eye-rolling because of her decision to sing part of it in patois, and Harry’s Symphony likewise (her accent – “If you want to get ‘igh, bring your own supply” etc – turns it into Stone’s own Dreadlock Holiday, which probably wasn’t the intention). You wonder why co-producer Damian Marley didn’t counsel against this foolishness, because the latter song – an 80s reggae throwback that broodingly warns against being taken in by “bad boys” – is more than listenable, and other moments on this reggae/African-influenced album are fine, too. Way Oh’s weighty goth-reggae contrasts with Stone’s flickering, subtle vocal; Stuck on You is both a percussive exercise for tablas and African drums and a showcase for one of Stone’s most quietly heartfelt performances. Therefore, this album is definitely worth an unbiased listen.
