Not Too Far Away

Released in 2018, Not Too Far Away represents a significant milestone in Joan Armatrading's late-career discography, marking her first Top 30 UK album in nearly three decades. The project is a testament to her technical polymathy; she is credited as the sole producer, arranger, and performer of all instruments and programming. This total creative control resulted in a sound that bridges her folk-rock roots with a polished, 21th-century pop sensibility. Recorded after her signing with BMG, the album eschews the blues-heavy focus of some of her 2000s work in favor of melodic, piano-led compositions and sophisticated string arrangements. Critics widely praised the album's 'vibrant' and 'compelling' nature, noting that her voice - a rare and rich contralto - remains as powerful and 'sultry' as ever. The record successfully balances the intimacy of a home-studio project with the professional sheen of a major-label release, cementing her status as a pioneering force in the singer-songwriter genre.