Review by Andy Hawes for MPM
Back in January 2024 I reviewed the debut Cassidy Paris album for this very website. It was, as I remember, a competent but unremarkable body of work, but one that somehow hinted that much more and better was to come and this is indeed the case as Bittersweet is a real improvement on its predecessor.
The debut was basically a pretty ‘by numbers’ collection of Melodic Rock with a very unimaginative production. It’s very clear that the intervening two years have seen Cassidy and her band grow into the genre, soaking up a range of influences which give the album a sense of variety that was missing before.
Opening track ‘Butterfly’ is a driving slice of catchy Melodic Rock with a very contagious hook. It isn’t a million miles away from the sound of the debut, although the production and mix is better; the guitar sounds in particular being powerful and well-rounded, with delicate keyboards giving the mix some depth.
‘Nothing Left To Lose’ kicks in with a powerfully modern vibe to the guitars – a much more modern Hard Rock kind of feel than the 80’s-esque Melodic Rock of ‘Butterfly’. This style really suits Cassidy’s vocal style and you can sense that she is really living the lyric, as she’s made no secret of the fact that life hasn’t been easy for her lately.
‘Finish What We Started’ is another kick-ass rocker, big on the hooks, the guitars and the attitude. I know that Paul Laine and Steve Brown are involved in this album, although the review notes don’t make it clear exactly where. This song sounds like it could easily have come from the pen of either of these two gentlemen, a fact which should give you plenty of clues as to its quality. Great slice of Melodic Rock!
‘Wannabe’ is another uptempo rocker with layers of big, chunky, fat guitars and driving, pounding drums. This one will be a killer live I’m sure with the hooks to match its driving rhythm.
‘Getting’ Better’ is up next and tries to fool you with its delicate acoustic intro, but it’s not long until the big guitars kick in. This sounds as though it’s another very personal lyric and Cassidy makes it her own with probably the most emotive vocal of the album so far. Luckily it also has the vocal hook to match.
Next up is ‘Give Me Your Love’ which is my least favourite track thus far. It just sounds a bit clumsy in its delivery and the very repetitive riff becomes annoying after a while, although the chorus tries to remedy things a bit. It kinda sounds a bit like a rocked-up version of something Kesha would do and that doesn’t really float my boat. Thankfully, ‘Can’t Let Go’ remedies things considerably with a classy ballad that has a bit of an ‘Every Rose Has Its Thorn’ kinda vibe. Chock full of hooky harmony vocals, jagged, jangly guitars and singing harmony leads, it’s a bit of a standout in the Cassidy Paris catalogue. The production and arrangement on this is absolutely bang on as well. Not overdone, but with enough in it to add layers of interest and to provide room to breathe, it really is a gem!
‘Undecided’ is back to the down-tuned modern Hard Rock riffage, with those chugging guitars back again. The chorus is pretty chunky too, although the ‘woah, woah’ backing vocals are a little underwhelming; they just sound a little unconvincing and need more ‘oomph’ in the delivery. Decent song though.
‘Sucker For Your Love’ continues the modern Hard Rock vibe while at the same time having an 80’s feel. Sadly, a rather pedestrian arrangement renders it a little ‘ordinary’, which is a pity, as there’s a great song in here trying to get out. More variety in the guitar arrangement would really help here.
Things pick up massively with ‘Brand New Day’ which has a far better guitar arrangement and a much better hook than its predecessor. It’s got a really positive lyrical vibe as well, which is good to hear. The arrangement and production suits the more ‘up’ concept and the inclusion of a dynamic and interesting middle-8 really helps to make this another standout cut.
‘Is Anybody Out There?’ is another really cool slice of modern Melodic Rock, with an interesting and dynamic production and arrangement and a chorus full of multi-layered harmony vocals which really lifts the hook. This is followed by the quite brilliant ‘Turn Around and Kiss Me’ which sounds like something The Defiants would do. Maybe it’s a Paul Laine co-write. Well, whether it is or not, it’s an absolute banger! It’s the sort of track that you just want to jump around and scream along to; not overly serious, just a full-on ball of Melodic Rock fun. The harmonies on the chorus hook are full-on AOR saccharine and all the better for it. Superb song!
Cassidy Paris ends her album with what seems to be her anthem. ‘Stronger’ seems to be the way she views herself now having come out the other side of whatever her issues were. This is another absolute humdinger of a song! Powerful, full of big, catchy hooks and full-on attitude, it’s everything that Cassidy Paris should be about and is a great way to close the album.
‘Bittersweet’ shows an artist in genuine development. It’s much better than the debut for sure. Ok, there are a couple of misfires so is perhaps a couple of songs too long, but when it’s good, it’s really very good indeed. As I said at the close of my review of her debut, I believe that there’s even more and still better yet to come from Cassidy Paris. She’s got youth on her side and thus has every opportunity to continue to grow. There are several songs on here that will be in regular rotation on my hours drive to work over the next few weeks, which is a real compliment and I just know that there is a genuine stone-cold classic in this girl somewhere in the not too distant future. Well done, Cassidy. You got this! ‘Bittersweet’ is out now – give it a listen!
Order “Bittersweet” HERE
Cassidy is endorsed by Fender Guitars, Ernie Ball & Wornstar Clothing.
“Bittersweet” Tracklist:
1. Butterfly
2. Nothing Left To Lose
3. Finish What We Started
4. Wannabe
5. Getting Better
6. Give Me Your Love
7. Can’t Let Go
8. Undecided
9. Sucker For Your Love
10. Brand New Day
11. Is Anybody Out There
12. Turn Around And Kiss Me
13. Stronger
