Key (2024)

"A double album released in honor of the 40th anniversary of her solo debut (1984's "Alf"), Key finds Alison Moyet revisiting songs from across her career in new re-recordings made with her longtime producer/arranger, Sean McGhee. Rather than focusing on her biggest hits, fan favorites, or necessarily chronological representation (although there's something here from every non-covers solo album except its predecessor, 2017's "Other"), songs were selected for their potential to take on new relevance or meaning. It includes 18 tracks in all: 16 'reimagined' songs, 2 original ones. Of the originals, "Such Small Ale" and "The Impervious Me," the latter is the more compelling, with its merger of spongy, '80s-type synth tones and piano underscoring lyrics about shallow societal standards and values, internal versus external fitness, and the importance of recognizing one's own worth. On top of that, the selections' mix of popular and lesser-known make it a lackluster hits collection." (AllMusic; 3 uit 5 sterren)