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GLENN HUGHES
Chosen
Frontiers Music Srl
https://www.glennhughes.com

Glenn Hughes is not the type of musician that likes to get bogged down with a band project or solo work. Throughout his 50+ year career, Hughes has lent his soulful vocals to over 50 albums (probably closer to a 100).

Most recently, Glenn released two back-to-back albums with the Hard Rock collective THE DEAD DAISIES, and his fifth album with Blues Rock "supergroup" BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION. It has been nine years since Hughes' last solo album Resonate, and the time has come for his 15th (probably) solo album Chosen.

As was the case with Resonate, Glenn is once again flanked by his longtime guitarist Soren Andersen, who has appeared on and produced some killer Hard Rock albums that have made my Best Of lists since 2021, including; THUNDERMOTHER - Heat Wave (2021), MICHAEL CATTON - Point Of No Return (2023), and PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS - Kings of The Asylum (2023).

The album kicks off with the mid-tempo rocker "Voice In My Head". The song is brimming with Andersen's dirty riffs and Hughes' seductive melodies. "My Alibi" drips with Glenn's signature Motown-inspired crooning, while his thumping bass moves in time with the syncopated drum work of Bob Fridzema.

The album's title track "Chosen" shifts from slow grooves to up-tempo moxie. Driving riffs that recall a bit of mid-nineties grunge lead the charge on "Heal", as Hughes declares it's time to move forward and forget about the past.

Sludgy '70s inspired riffage dominates "In The Golden", while Glenn finds a way to inject bluesy soul into the dark harmonies. Despite its comforting title, "The Lost Paradise" is a somber track that Hughes pumps up with his passionate chorus sections. "Hot Damn Thing" is a Blues Rock spectacle loaded with multi-part harmonies and foot-tapping beats. The women's choral section sends this track over-the-top.

"Come And Go" slows the pace down with soft acoustic guitars and earnest vocals. Support from the drums & bass kick in at the right emotional lyric points. "Into The Fade" ends the album with vigorous bass lines and assertive vocals. Andersen's licks and riffs are air guitar worthy.

Rumor has it that Chosen is the last 'Rock' album by Glenn Hughes. Is it his best album? No. But it's far from being his worst album. Hughes isn't taking any chances with his latest release, he's just delivering what we've come to expect from him. Chosen is a solid album from a solid musician that doesn't have to keep on keeping on, but does so because he clearly loves it.

4.2 Out Of 5.0