We often have this story when an artist changes the style and then we don't like it me because that's not the same artist anymore. On the other hand, when someone is creating the same stuff over and over again, it is also not good, unless it is the best musician in the world. I often wonder how the hell are artists suppose to satisfy us. For Amy Macdonald, it seems to be super tough to satisfy us.
When she appeared ten years ago, Amy was a refreshment - twenty year old girl who got hooked on The Cranberries and rocked her pop-rock shtick of folk. Today, nothing has changed except for the fact that Amy is not ten years older. Under The Stars is a record that sounds just the same as any of its three predecessors. Sure, the lyrics are different, the accords slightly modified and every fifth song might be decent, but overall, everything comes off as stagnant. Macdonald is playing it super safe, and it is not in her advantage. In fact, this type of reiteration is considered an artistic suicide.
Don't get me wrong, there are few great numbers here, but they are all based on the same principle of any of her former songs. The only one that comes off as different is Down Under Water due to its African-American influences, while everything else is stuck in a wormhole with a tagline I want to be The Cranberries.
When This Is The Life came out, I was sure Amy Macdonald is going to rule the music world. Her debut had its flaws, but it offered a new face that could deliver something intriguing and substantial. Under The Stars brings more hit-potent song, but that makes them even more vacant. In my humble opinion, it is time for Amy MacDonald to redefine her music If she wants to be perceived as an authentic artist. If not, she still might have a shot of becoming someone who can please wider audience, but I would never suggest her to try that. However, she needs to do something to inhibit the downward spiral she is rolling on.
