ORIGINAL ARTICLE - http://web.orange.co.uk/p/musicstore/story_sophie_ellis_bextor_not_giving_up_review
Now there's a sight for sore eyes. One of pop's premiere beauties, Sophie Ellis-Bextor is back - and with her finest pop effort since her debut hit, 'Groovejet', way back in 2000.
Still, in the elven years inbetween her Spiller collaboration and new team up with European trance maestro Armin Van Buuren she's hardly been resting on her haute couture laurels, she's chalked up nine solo hits, making her mark slowly but surely on the pop world.
Casting aside the high-camp pop of her last release 'Bittersweet' and 2009 Freemasons collaboration 'Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer)', 'Not Giving Up On Love' is a sharp, energy packed club anthem. The simple piano opening proving something of a red herring as the song hits epic heights as it hits peak after peak of soaring synths over it's respectable and concise 3 minute run.
However, despite Van Buuren's glorious production skills, it is Sophie who steals the show with her distinctive, warm vocals. Superstardom has always eluded pop's poshest starlet, but her voice has more distinction than countless belting divas, and hearing it put to practice on a song which matches the quality of her voice is long overdue. We don't want to hear another 'I Won't Change You' ever, ever again please.
Already a No.1 hit in Poland (where trance has arguably a bigger following), 'Not Giving Up On Love' has all the hallmarks of a club classic. We've admittedly struggled to write this review because we've been so busy waving our hands in the air listening to the track - and it's difficult to type at the same time as having a little dance. Welcome back Sophie, we just hope we won't have to wait another 11 years for your next amazing pop single.
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