Released almost exactly two years after the U.K. chart-topping, platinum-selling
Tribute,
Revolve more closely follows
Calvin Harris' equally successful "Blame," on which
John Newman provided a typically full-throttle vocal (and somewhat contradictory lines like "Guilt is burning" and "Don't blame it on me"). Although
Newman made this album with a new set of collaborators, including fellow producer/songwriters
Greg Kurstin and
Jack Splash, its foundation is likewise in muscular retro-soul that blares and bolts and manages to keep up with the singer's superhuman level of energy. There are lighter diversions into house and disco -- including "Tiring Game," featuring
Charlie Wilson -- and
Newman dials it down every now and then for ballads, but
Revolve is very much in line with the winning formula of
Tribute. Its wider emotional range and stylistic switch-ups, none of which is outside
Newman's grasp, give it a slight edge. ~ Andy Kellman