Never Forget My Love

Released in 2022, Never Forget My Love marks a significant collaboration between Joss Stone and Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame. Recorded at Bay Street Studios in the Bahamas, the album represents a deliberate stylistic shift toward 'cinematic soul.' Moving away from the reggae and hip-hop influences that peppered her middle career, Stone embraces the sophisticated pop-soul structures of the 1960s, specifically citing the influence of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. The production is characterized by its use of live orchestral arrangements, which were recorded to capture a sense of timelessness. Critics noted that while Stone has always had a 'vintage' voice, this is the first album where the songwriting and production fully lean into the 'Diva' tradition of the Great American Songbook. It stands as a mature, cohesive statement that prioritizes melody and arrangement over contemporary trends.