The English electronic outfit's fourth full-length,
The Greatest Love
continues
London Grammar
's winning streak of albums densely packed with emotive, electro-tinged pop gems that center on
Hannah Reid
's hypnotizing vocal acrobatics. Declarative album-opener "House" is classic
, with
Reid
's instantly recognizable singing riding a skittering beat surrounded by irresistible production that burrows its way deep into the core. From there, the haunted "Fakest Bitch" highlights the singer/songwriter in
, crafting a tale of betrayal and pain with simple acoustic backing before plunging into some of the catchiest songs in their catalog, like the melodic, location-specific earworms "LA" and "Santa Fe." In addition to the standout "Rescue," the stunning title track (with lyrics to match) cements the LP's strength with power, honesty, and unflinching lyrics. Goosebumps cascade across the body as
sings, "I need you because you are a woman/And I'll hate you because you are a woman/And I'll love you because you are a woman." Deeply moving and spiritually nourishing,
is yet another gorgeous exercise in both controlled, sonic perfection and sheer emotional grandeur from
,
Dominic Major
, and
Dan Rothman
. ~ Neil Z. Yeung