Poppy Ajudha - Poppy 
Release Date: Out Now
Poppy Ajudha is one of my favourite discoveries of 2024 so it is great to be able to finish the year off with her new album, the simply titled 'Poppy'. The rich organ sound that opens the album up with 'Hero' is almost mournful and Ajudha's vocal is full of soul, swelling with the vocal harmonies to create a stunning prelude for what is to come. 'My Future' has a 90s pop vibe with an acoustic melody and addictive little beat which leads in to 'Girl Next Door', the former single still full of hopes, dreams and infectious energy.
There's a euphoric vibe to 'Somebody To Love' which would suit Becky Hill but the vocal is more soulful and there is a richness to this that just makes it feel luxurious. 'Bestie Breakup' might be favourite song title of the year as Ajudha sings "I got dreams bigger than you, bigger than me", shaking off the shackles off her past and focusing on the future. The classy sound on 'Lean On Me' would be fitting for multi-million selling artists either side of the pond while 'Temptation' positively fizzes and clicks with energy that demands you head to the dance floor. 'Ego Boost' has a seductive feel to it as the percussion and sparse melodies snake around like smoke from incense sticks but then 'Candy' goes all wooze-pop on us and disorientates as much as it delights the senses.
The final quarter of the album starts with 'Seeds We've Sown' which feels like a chilled out Rudimental cut before penultimate song, 'Ready', goes apologetically pop with Clean Bandit meets Dua Lipa vibes that will have fans bouncing wherever they hear this one. The parting shot from Ajudha is the piano based ballad of 'Cross Roads', a great opportunity for her to show off the fragility of her vocals and range of her tone. This is an album about drawing a line, taking stock and moving on towards the future with a strong sense of self-worth - the perfect album to end 2024 and take you in to 2025 then. Thanks Poppy.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/poppyajudhamusic
Live Dates:
18th March – Patterns, Brighton
20th March – Neon 194, London
21st March – Exchange, Bristol
22nd March – YES (Pink Room), Manchester
24th March – Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh
26th March – Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds