Love Is Back (song) explained

Love Is Back
Cover:Love is Back - Celeste single cover.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Celeste
Album:Not Your Muse
Released:31 December 2020
Genre:Retro-soul
Length:4:14
Prev Title:A Little Love
Prev Year:2020
Year:2020

"Love Is Back" is a song by British singer Celeste. It was released through Both Sides and Polydor Records on 31 December 2020 as the fourth single from her debut studio album Not Your Muse.[1] [2] The song was co-written by Celeste and both Jamie Hartman and his daughter Ettie and features production from Josh Crocker and Charlie Hugall.[3] [4]

Composition

"Love Is Back" is a retro-soul[5] [6] [7] song "filled with punchy brass, jangling guitar riffs and velvety vocals that melt over the soulful production".[8] It is also built around "horns and a heavy drum groove".

Critical reception

In a write-up for The New York Times, Lindsay Zoladz wrote that Celeste "croons coolly for much of the song before a dazzling grand finale showcases the strength of her smoky voice, which recalls both Amy Winehouse and Billie Holiday."[9] Deep Shah of ColorsxStudios noted that the song "encompasses an enriching and uplifting atmosphere with its twinkling soundscape".[10] Billboard described it as "rousing" and praised Celeste's vocal "swoons",[11] while NME described it as a "confident and sultry belter" which indicates that the singer is "well on her way to becoming the latest British soul hero." Writing for The Honey Pop, Emily Defoor agreed that Celeste is "on the rise of being the new queen of soul", and further described the song as a "dreamy" mixture of "hypnotic vocals and feel good beats".[12] Alexander Zwerner of Earmilk described the song as "gorgeous" and "uplifting", and highlighted its "groove-laden production" and "enriching and uplifting ambiance” while praising Celeste's "incredibly sanguine" lyrics. In a write-up for Nothing but Hope and Passion, Liv Toerkell the song as a "retro-sounding gem" and wrote that Celeste's "soaring vocals are pure soul" while highlighting how she "unleashes her full range in a goosebump-evoking outcry" towards the end of the song.

Live performances

While touring and performing at festivals in 2019 and early 2020, Celeste performed "Love Is Back" a number of times despite the song being unreleased. She first performed it in February 2019 it for the British Music Embassy at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas,[13] [14] and then for BBC Music Introducing Sessions at Maida Vale Studios in May 2019,[15] as well as at 2019 Glastonbury Festival in July.[16] Celeste also added the song to her setlist on her European tour opening for Michael Kiwanuka in 2019,[17] and during her residence at Omeara in south east London.[18] [19] Celeste first officially debuted the released song on the BBC Two television special Jools' Annual Hootenanny 2020/21, which prompted mainstream public interest and a large increase in sales, ultimately helping it debut at number 52 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart. Celeste's performance of "Love Is Back" on the 449th episode of The Graham Norton Show in mid January 2021, would also prompt yet another boost in sales.[20]

Music video

The official music video for "Love Is Back" was directed by Sammy King and released on 21 January 2021.[21] It features guest appearances from Melanie C, Miss Jason, Faye Wei Wei, Princess Julia, Jaime Winstone, Elheist, and Josephine Jones.[22]

Charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Netherlands (Tipparade)[23] 16

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Richards. Will. 31 December 2020. Celeste closes out the year with uplifting new single 'Love Is Back'. 17 January 2021. NME.
  2. Web site: Kenneally. Cerys. 31 December 2021. Celeste unveils new song "Love Is Back". 17 January 2021. The Line of Best Fit.
  3. Web site: Credits / Love is Back / Celeste. 17 January 2021. Tidal.
  4. 49329517700972544. jamiehartman. my wife and I's first child, Ettie Grace Hartman was born on Thursday in Los Angeles. nothing could ever compare. :). Jamie Hartman.
  5. Web site: Toerkell. Liv. 1 December 2021. "Love is Back" And So Is Retro Soul, Thanks To Celeste's New Single. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210112101411/https://nbhap.com/dailytune/celeste-love-is-back. 12 January 2021. 17 January 2021. Nothing but Hope and Passion.
  6. Web site: Zwerner. Alexander. 4 January 2021. Celeste releases new uplifting single "Love is Back". live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210104192137/http://earmilk.com/2021/01/04/celeste-releases-new-uplifting-single-love-is-back/. 4 January 2021. 17 January 2021. Earmilk.
  7. Web site: 6 January 2021. 20 New Songs Out Today. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210113194253/https://www.brooklynvegan.com/20-new-songs-out-today-35/. 13 January 2021. 17 January 2021. BrooklynVegan.
  8. Web site: 11 January 2021. NME Radio Roundup 11 January 2021: SZA, Grimes, slowthai and more. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210111213520/https://www.nme.com/blogs/radio-roundup-11-january-sza-grimes-slowthai-2853734. 11 January 2021. 17 January 2021. NME.
  9. News: Pareles. Jon. Jon Pareles. Russonello. Giovanni. Zoladz. Lindsay. 8 January 2021. Taylor Swift's Ode to Moving On, and 9 More New Songs. The New York Times. live. 17 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210108163026/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/08/arts/music/playlist-taylor-swift-saweetie-doja-cat.html. 8 January 2021. 0362-4331.
  10. Web site: Shah. Deep. 2 January 2021. Celeste — Love Is Back. 14 January 2021. ColorsxStudios.
  11. Web site: Lipshutz. Jason. Ginsberg. Gab. 4 January 2021. 10 Cool New Pop Songs To Get You Through The Week: Grimes, Aly & AJ, Twin XL & More. https://web.archive.org/web/20210106073401/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9506669/10-cool-new-pop-songs-grimes-aly-aj-twin-xl/. January 6, 2021. 17 January 2021. Billboard.
  12. Web site: Defoor. Emily. 11 January 2021. 'Love Is Back' In The Form Of This New Celeste Song. https://web.archive.org/web/20210112060006/https://thehoneypop.com/2021/01/11/love-is-back-in-the-form-of-this-new-celeste-song/. 12 January 2021. 17 January 2021. The Honey Pop.
  13. Web site: Manno. Lizzie. 20 March 2019. SXSW 2019: The 7 Best Acts We Saw at the British Music Embassy. 17 January 2021. Paste.
  14. Web site: 27 March 2019. Love is Back by Celeste @ Latitude 30 for SXSW 2019 on 3/16/19. 17 January 2021. mc954concerts20. YouTube.
  15. Web site: 4 May 2019. Celeste in session at Maida Vale - An intimate, stripped-back session from an incredible new voice. https://web.archive.org/web/20201010045934/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0786szj. 10 October 2020. 17 January 2021. BBC Music.
  16. Web site: 9 July 2019. Celeste - Love Is Back (Glastonbury 2019). live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210117144723/https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/er3v9r/play/anx3q9/p07fknq1. 17 January 2021. 17 January 2021. BBC Music.
  17. Web site: Sa. Djamel. 24 November 2019. CELESTE Live Paris Salle Pleyel 23 Novembre 2019. 17 January 2021. YouTube. First part of the concert of Michael Kiwanuka 23rd November 2019 Salle Pleyel, Paris..
  18. News: Verrico. Lisa. 14 November 2019. Celeste review — a shy singer with a star's voice. The Sunday Times. live. 17 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20191115154044/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/celeste-review-a-shy-singer-with-a-stars-voice-2kg729fnm. 15 November 2019. 0140-0460.
  19. Web site: Reilly. Nick. 14 November 2019. Celeste live in London: Haunting and unforgettable, Celeste proves why she's primed for superstardom. https://web.archive.org/web/20191220232907/https://www.nme.com/reviews/live/celeste-london-live-review-2019-2577464. 20 December 2019. 17 January 2021. NME.
  20. Web site: Cannon. Eoghan. 22 January 2021. Here's who's on 'The Graham Norton Show' tonight. 23 January 2021. Entertainment.ie. singer-songwriter Celeste will be performing her latest single 'Love Is Back'..
  21. Web site: Richards. Will. 24 January 2021. Mel C makes a cameo in Celeste's new video for 'Love Is Back'. 27 January 2021. NME.
  22. Web site: Dunn. Frankie. 21 January 2021. Celeste's new video stars Mel C, Miss Jason, Faye Wei Wei and more. 22 January 2021. i-D.
  23. Web site: Tipparade: Week 4 (23 January 2021). 27 January 2021. Dutch Top 40.