ALL SAINTS  Announce Fifth Studio Album "Testament" Out This July

As the story goes, All Saints are known for writing and releasing celebrated, killer Pop songs like their 2000 smash hit single “Pure Shores”…for instance, as well as creating unique renditions of Rock classics such as the Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ “Under The Bridge.” Understandably, after a 10 year hiatus, fans assumed that their 2016 effort, the critically acclaimed “Red Flag” would be a one-off reunion, with the hope that there would be another album in the distant future. Unpredictably, but amazingly so, the multi-talented quartet have recently released two of the best songs they have ever showcased, and announced a brand new full-length fifth studio album, they have entitled “Testament” due for release July 26th.

Kicking starting their unexpected return to music was the Trip-Hop and Gospel-Pop sounding “Love Lasts Forever” that although follows some current production trends, with use of a sample of their vocal performance played in reverse in the background during the verses, a studio technique that misleads one into thinking that its’ an actual keyboard synth, as well as a heavy drum section that follows a similar tempo to “Get Up” by underground Alternative Urban band Young Fathers, the song also delivers that classic All Saints vocal, that leaves you slightly haunted by its’ bright sound over dark, minor chords, reminiscent of Emeli Sande’s distinctive style on the 2011 single “Heaven.” It is a clever contradiction to the lyrics which reach out to a loved one, specifically Shaznay Lewis’s son, as confirmed recently during an interview with Sara Cox at BBC Radio 2, with a promise that she always be there for him in the end, no matter what life throws their way.

Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better than the beautifully captivating vocals of “Love Lasts Forever,” along comes one of their biggest anthems to date…the powerful “Glorious.” Shaznay was definitely going for gold when she wrote this ridiculously catchy number for the band, with long-term collaborator K-Gee, which is a very big statement when you look at their back catalogue of hit singles and solid album tracks, from “I Know Where It’s At” to “Chick Fit,” from “War Of Nerves” to “Rock Steady” and the list is endless. A fighter’s song, with its’ military snare being hit a thousand times a second on top of a mid-tempo beat, pieced together by the use of a thick kick drum, heavy Electro-claps, additional claves and woodblocks, which bring about a similar production to M.I.A’s, notably on her Tribal-esque 2007 single “Boyz,” this infectious track is guaranteed to put a strong, positive head on your shoulders and make you punch the air with your fist once you pass that finish line, while Shaznay, Nicole, Natalie and Melanie sing their strongest message yet: “glorious, we will always be victorious, yeah you know that we are warriors, we’re not ordinary,” together in that Gaelic-sounding tone we fell in love with when listening to them harmonising on “Black Coffee” for the first time. And let’s not forget the understated string arrangement that helps to build up the song to its’ epic finale and their backing vocals repeating the words “we are, we are,” complimenting their leads nicely, along with the song’s main driving force…the drums.

ROUGH ONLINE literally repeated “Glorious” over 40 times after the first listen, concluding that we highly recommend you download or stream this perfectly-written, brilliantly produced song today. Taking into account the sounds of their newest singles, we are anticipating “Testament,” to be their best piece of work to date. All Saints, once again…welcome back. ROUGH ONLINE are in awe of your talents and your craft.