With her narrow features, unworldly voice and almost supernatural command of the harp, Joanna Newsom has in the past been compared to an elf. But although the San Francisco singer's previous albums were suitably epic, her latest LP makes them look like mere flights of fancy. Clocking in at more than two hours and sprawling across a trilogy of discs, Have One on Me truly is her Lord of the Rings.
Musical supertankers such as this often gain a reputation for being unwieldy. Take the Beatles' White Album, for example, which feels like a scrapbook of disparate ideas in varying states of completion and with feet in different continents at the same time. But despite its immense length (most songs nudge the eight-minute mark) Have One on Me sounds incredibly well-honed. With its succinct orchestral arrangement and Newsom's fascinating lyrical and melodic constructions, it's incredibly difficult to find any wasted moments.
But just as the quality never dips, it also feels like there's surprisingly little variation between the 18 songs. Indeed, it's possible to think of the album as a single piece of music, albeit an incredibly ambitious one. Having played the record in its entirety four times, I still can't tell most of the songs apart. But it's vastness and impenetrability also holds the answer to some of its majesty.
In an age when musical careers can be built on an artist's prowess with a laptop, Newsom, with her thoroughly authentic blend of jazz, folk, world and classical elements, offers a hugely refreshing alternative to the prevailing approach. And that's before you even talk about the voice.
On her debut, 2004's The Milk-Eyed Mender, she sounded more Wicked Witch of the West than Dorothy, despite being just 22 at the time. Then on 2006's magnificent Ys, she transformed her tones into something that belonged in the court of King Henry VIII.
Here, Newsom has pulled off another transformation: she's learnt how to sing. The idiosyncratic squeaks and yelps that peppered previous vocal performances have been toned down and, in some places lost altogether, in favour of a silkier, more alluring touch.
Although Newsom seems to have made a conscious effort to become less odd (aside from choosing to release a triple album, that is) the singer hasn't exactly had her wings clipped. When taken in the context of its vast entirety, the album is no less rewarding than her previous works - although it certainly lacks the unabridged energy and sense of fun that made them such a delight.
But while the songstress has reined in some of her quirks, Joanna Newsom 3.0 is not a distillation of the old model. The album still boasts the swooping time changes and baffling song structures for which she has become known. The songs are also full of drama, passion and (as anyone who's witnessed Newsom's live show will testify) finger-numbingly intense harp playing.
While some might miss the impish excitement that exuded from her previous releases, there's more than enough wonderfulness here to explore for days. We all have to grow up some time; if only we could all do it so brilliantly.
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
Checks continue
A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.
Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.
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SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Benevento (Kick-off 11.45pm)
Saturday Crotone v Spezia (6pm), Torino v Udinese (9pm), Lazio v Verona (11.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Atalanta v Fiorentina (6pm), Napoli v Sampdoria (6pm), Bologna v Roma (6pm), Genoa v Juventus (9pm), AC Milan v Parma (11.45pm)
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
Super heroes
Iron Man
Reduced risk of dementia
Alcohol consumption could be an issue
Hulk
Cardiac disease, stroke and dementia from high heart rate
Spider-Man
Agility reduces risk of falls
Increased risk of obesity and mental health issues
Black Panther
Vegetarian diet reduces obesity
Unknown risks of potion drinking
Black Widow
Childhood traumas increase risk of mental illnesses
Thor
He's a god
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Company name: Farmin
Date started: March 2019
Founder: Dr Ali Al Hammadi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: AgriTech
Initial investment: None to date
Partners/Incubators: UAE Space Agency/Krypto Labs
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded