Michele D’Amour and the Love Dealers return with “What It’s All About”, an eight-track album that brings together blues, soul, and classic R&B influences with plenty of personality. Released through Blueskitty Records, the album has a relaxed confidence, moving between upbeat numbers, slower blues songs, and more reflective moments without ever feeling disconnected. The title track, “What It’s All About”, gets things moving with an easy groove and a playful vocal performance. It has the kind of energy that makes for a natural opening track and gives you a good idea of the personality running through the album. “Runaround” follows with a soulful story about an uncertain relationship and someone who simply will not commit. Michele’s delivery gives the song plenty of feeling without overdoing it. “Pucker Up Buttercup” brings a different kind of energy to the record. The Jr. Walker classic fits nicely into the album and gives the band an opportunity to show their appreciation for classic soul while putting their own performance behind it. Things slow down on “Pushing Away Love”, one of the more emotional songs on the album. The subject is familiar to many people, dealing with the habit of keeping love at a distance even when it is wanted. The slower pace gives the song room to breathe and lets the feeling come through naturally.
“Tough Breaks and Bad Decisions” examines the consequences that can arise from life’s difficult circumstances and our own choices. “The Visitor” takes the album in a darker, more atmospheric direction, while “Broken People” offers a more compassionate perspective. Its focus on people dealing with their own struggles gives the song a sincere quality. The album closes with “Let Go Of These Blues”, which carries a feeling of moving forward and leaving some of the weight behind. It is a fitting way to finish a record that touches on relationships, mistakes, heartache, and the need to keep going. One of the things I enjoyed most about “What It’s All About” is how comfortable the band sounds throughout the record. There is a genuine connection between the songs, the performances, and the blues and soul influences behind them. I also appreciate that the album gives its quieter moments just as much attention as its livelier ones.
The recording process adds to that feeling. The band recorded the material live from the studio floor during one afternoon, with the rhythm tracks, solos, and final vocals coming together in real time. You can feel that sense of musicians responding to each other rather than everything sounding overly constructed. If you enjoy blues, soul, and classic R&B, “What It’s All About” is an album worth spending some time with. Make sure to follow Michele D’Amour and the Love Dealers to keep up with their music and future releases. Add the album to your playlist and come back to the songs that catch your attention most. Whether it is the title track, the soulful “Runaround”, the slower “Pushing Away Love,” or the closing “Let Go Of These Blues”, there is plenty here to enjoy on repeat.
