Decca Records release Imelda May's fifth studio album Life, Love, Flesh, Blood, which features the personal and heart-wrenching blues ballad ‘Black Tears’ with guitar legend Jeff Beck. It is clear that one of Ireland’s biggest exports has found a new groove, here presenting the most personal and intimately autobiographical album she has ever written...

Recorded over seven days in Los Angeles, the album features musical contributions from guitar hero Jeff Beck (on ‘Black Tears’), piano legend Jools Holland (on ‘When It’s My Time’) and an accomplished group of backing musicians including the core trio of guitarist Marc Ribot (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello), drummer Jay Bellerose (Elton John & Leon Russell, Ray Lamontagne) and bassist Zach Dawes (The Last Shadow Puppets, Mini Mansions), the same band that recorded Robert Plant and Alison Krauss’ Raising Sand.

The tracks on this album see Imelda May casting her net wide which, for her fans, pays off well as it allows us to appreciate her incredibly diverse vocal range. From 'Should Have Been You' (personally my favourite track) where she belts it out, really pushing her voice, to the more placid, quiet 'The Girl I Used to Be' this is a collection that never disappoints.

The LP contains 11 tracks (44 min, 05 sec) and is one multilayered album that you'll be playing for years to come.

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Nick Smithson