'Back To Scratch' is the sixth studio album from Welsh songstress Charlotte Church, and her first for five years. Produced by Martin Terefe and Sacha Skarbeck, the album is a world away from the classical crossover sound of her early work. A collection of sophisticated, contemporary pop songs, 'Back To Scratch' sees Church moving into new territory, positioning herself amongst similar artists such as Amy McDonald and KT Tunstall.

Aug 2010

Charlotte Church is back with her first album in five years, 'Back To Scratch' Produced by Martin Terefe (Jason Mraz, KT Tunstall, James Morrison) and Sacha Skarbeck (Adele, James Blunt), the fourteen track collection is multi-textured pop dynamite, showcasing Charlotte's incredible range as well as her knack for informing each and every song she sings with unabashed emotion.

Her second pop album - following 2005's Platinum selling 'Tissues and Issues' - 'Back To Scratch', shows off a mature, refined side to Charlotte, with a sophisticated pop sound that will doubtless win her legions of new converts as well as satisfying her loyal fan-base. Partly written in Nashville with Luke Laird and Patrick Davis, she also worked with local Welsh artists The Druids and Jonathan Powell on the album.

'Back To Scratch' opens with the title track, which is also set to be the first single from the album (Sunday October 24th). Contemplative but vibrant, it details a relationship breakdown and was originally inspired by problems faced by a close family member. However, by the time Charlotte came to record the track, her own relationship with rugby player Gavin Henson was also coming to an end. "It became the perfect song for my situation," explains Charlotte, "so I sing it with a lot of conviction."

Other highlights include the reflective 'Ruby' (originally recorded by French singer, Camille), a warm Parisian jazz shuffle full of affectionate motherly advice to her young daughter and infused with a vintage vinyl crackle. 'Logical World' places Charlotte alongside the likes of KT Tunstall and Amy MacDonald, a grown up guitar track with a rousing, perfect-pop chorus. 'The Actors' sees Charlotte giving a nod to musical theatre, with its Lloyd Webber style intensity and dramatic dynamics while the delicate 'Story of Us' explodes into stadium ballad territory and tells of her relationship with her mother. "She's brilliant, I love her to bits, but she takes a lot of care and affection," reveals Charlotte. “The song is kind of sad. She cries every time she hears it."

Elsewhere 'Don't Think About It' shows off a Southern swagger influenced by Charlotte's time in Nashville, with bold Bobbie Gentry vocals and a sultry bluegrass backbone. The optimistic 'Cup Of The Sun' is a short but ever so sweet folk-pop number, laid with lush harmonies and the autobiographical 'Honestly' buzzes with a show tune style sparkle.

Tucked away secretly at the end of the album sits a tender, hugely affecting version of Joni Mitchell's classic 'River', set to an elegiac string quartet arrangement. Hidden depths eh? Well that sounds familiar...

• Uncut - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[I]t's the original songs that impress, a tangle of decisive chord changes and strong melodies that showcase Church's rangy voice."