Orianthi 'Some Kind of Feeling' album review: Acclaimed guitarist Orianthi breaks out of the mould for her blues-pop album

Back in 2022, acclaimed Australian guitarist and singer Orianthi had hopes of making a pop-blues record. Of course, her record company had different ideas and the gasoline-injected 'Rock Candy' was conceived. It was a success with fans and critics, but three years on, and under a different record company, 'Some Kind of Feeling' is perhaps the blues-pop album that was always waiting in the wings.

At times it's very pop, very very pop, almost Taylor Swift levels of poptasticness. Take the opening banger of a track, 'Attention', it's got a pop-country feel that could easily translate to Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill or Taylor. Ultimately, the pop-rock guitar solo gives the track some congruence with her other work. It's perhaps a little unexpected sound for an opener, but not a surprise. The title track moves into more blues-based territory while the yearning 'What I've Been Looking For' and its slow blues groove solidifies the sound that Orianthi and Kevin Shirley envisioned for the album.

A cover of ZZ Top's 'Sharp Dressed Man' re-told from a female perspective takes on a post- #MeToo world with a referential nod and a wink. 'First Time Blues' with Joe Bonamassa contains some rock guitar work that steers the latter part of the album into the heavier sound that she's known for.

Vocally, she shows her versatility at being able to emote a ballad like the stadium-worthy 'Ghost' or the gutsier rock track 'Bad For Each Other'. Her guitar work is measured and understated too, underscoring the songs rather than taking center stage.

'Some Kind of Feeling' is a worthy blues-pop album with a variety of different styles that dips into different genres along the way. It's a rather enjoyable listen with some strong songs. Quite what feeling it will provoke in the listener rather depends on your tolerance for melodic Americana-tinged pop or if you prefer Orianthi when she's in full-pelt rock mode: both are a good choice, but this album might be a bit too pop for the rock or die crowd. But hey, if you can't please everyone, then please yourself, which is pretty much what Orianthi has done this time around.