Riff-toting opening salvo ‘It’s So Cruel’ leaps from the shuddering speakers with stardust-encrusted glam-punk abandon and proceeds to enliven even the quietest of evenings.
This is not to suggest that Boots has left the country vibe for dead though, as the sizzling ‘Don’t Give a Damn’ boasts a decidedly roots-y swagger that may just get you singing along with unrestrained gusto whilst you are admiring the stars and warming your bones by a roaring campfire.
On the catchy title track, Boots expertly blends elements of country with the warmth and zest of classic ‘60s girl-group pop, while on ‘Break My Heart Twice’, she reveals what happens when aspects of country music are deftly embedded within the gloss and sparkle of deeply sophisticated and intelligent slow-burn pop. As with her compelling and critically-acclaimed debut album Solitude, Don’t Talk About It provides ample evidence of the talent and creativity that burns at the core of the refreshingly innovative Ruby Boots.
8/10
