Estelle California’s embraces a gorgeous timeless gusto on the powerful pop of “Star (Radio Edit)”. Instrumentally rich, the song incorporates a wide swath of styles, from world to classical to folk and glam, all anchored within a lovely classic hit sound. Percussion further emphasizes this freewheeling, freedom seeking sound, either from the countless drums that filter in and out of the mix to the pounding of the piano. All of it simply swirls about in a fantastic tapestry of sound. By far the highlight of the piece, the true heart and soul, comes from Estelle’s fiery vocals. Sung with such passion the lyrics have a tenderness to them, almost intimate at times.
A gorgeous sweeping series of synthesizers introduce the piece. Upon the inclusion of her voice the song gains a certain sultriness. Delivered with such grace, she lets the sound build up around her as she taps into a deeply felt power. The blooming of the sound gives everything a fierce quality, one that shows off their impeccable chops. So much energy flows through the piece, going for a stream of consciousness approach. Grooves have a muscular quality to them for they ensure that every single thing positively shines. Multiple keyboards intermingle at times bringing a bit of the funk and blues further into the atmosphere. Deserving to be played at the maximum volume, the song comes to a stunning finale.
“Star (Radio Edit)” shows off Estelle California’s impressive prowess in crafting a world that feels uniquely her own.
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