By Andrew Liles
OUR GRADE: A
Universal Honey’s Extended Play 2020, released Oct. 19th, is the culmination of almost 30 years of an impressive writing partnership between platinum recording artists Leslie Stanwyck and Johnny Sinclair. On this latest outing, their skills continue to produce the catchy and memorable melodies that have become their calling card over the many projects that they have been involved with.
From the moment you hit play on the opening song, “Know Me 4Ever”, you are greeted by a feel good instrumental vibes followed by the attention grabbing uniqueness of Stanwyck’s vocals. Her voice has an interesting mix of Chrissie Hynde meets Liz Phair, but is still all her… and it’s good. The variety of feels and sounds keeps Extended Play 2020 flowing effortlessly from the smokey verse groove in “What Will It Take 2 Make U Happy” to the hook laden rocking chorus of “Rolling Back Time”.
Stanwyck and Sinclair delivered the goods with this EP and prove once again why they have been successful for so long. It’s essentially a miniature tour de force of rock anthems, thoughtful love songs making the entire affair a smooth ride. Extended Play 2020 is an album that closes out an otherwise soul crushing 2020 in a retro 90's way giving music fans a much needed slice of nostalgic escapism pie.
*Johnny Sinclair and Leslie Stanwyck pose by the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon.
Photo By Mark Allard-Will