Adam Lambert doesn’t do subtle, he is theatrical through and through – and we are here for it. The gravitas towards all things dramatic is ever present throughout his latest offering ‘High Drama’ – an album of bold reimagined tracks personally curated by the singer himself.
This genre-spanning collection of reimagined covers takes some of Adam’s favourite songs by artists like Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey, Bonnie Tyler, Sia, Duran Duran and Kings Of Leon to a different dimension thanks to the classic ‘Adam Lambert’ treatment. Case in point – ‘Holding Out For A Hero’ which has been transformed into a glam rock extravaganza!
Adam’s exemplary interpretation of Culture Club’s ‘Do You Really Want To Hurt Me’ is multi-faceted and intriguing, serving lines like ‘Choose my color, find a star’ in a fresh, sophisticated and laidback way.
Lambert’s musical theatre background is evident in Billie Eilish’s ‘Getting Older’ which has him reflecting on the universal fear of ageing and gives a far-reaching emotional performance.
He channels his inner Prince for his take on ‘Sex On Fire’ which is transformed from a raucous rock track to a dance-fuelled floor filler that is multi-textured and effervescent. Another standout is Duran Duran’s ‘Ordinary World ‘is spine-tinglingly good and Adam’s capability to effortlessly combine his endearing vulnerability with powerhouse vocals which his trademark falsetto.
Album closer ‘Mad About the Boy’ is a triumph, it feels like it could be a theme song from the next James Bond film and Lambert’s spectacular storytelling skills are masterful and dynamic in equal measure.
A showman with stellar performance skills, there are few performers with a vocal range like Adam Lambert and it’s clear he knows his instrument well and has expertly mastered the tracks on ‘High Drama’ to really make them his own and has once again showcased his astonishing vocal prowess with this energetic, vivid and mesmerising collection of songs.
7/10
Words: Emma Harrison