Where We Are

Ten years into their career, you’d think Westlife might want to start taking a few musical risks. But of course they’ve been massively successful and with the world being turned upside down in so many ways, maybe safety first is a reasonable policy. As a result, Where We Are comprises 13 tracks of relatively familiar, well turned out boyband pop. The lads themselves are on top form throughout, with the solo singing and harmonies spot-on throughout. On tunes such as ‘How To Break A Heart’ and ‘Shadows’ they emote as if their lives depended on it. The vocals on ‘Talk Me Down’ and ‘The Difference’ are pop-tingly superb, ‘No More Heroes’ is arguably one of their most compelling ever efforts, and they bring an impressive grandeur to ‘Leaving’. But their excellent vocal efforts are confined somewhat by the ready-to-wear arrangements and over-buffed productions – cooked up with the help of some 30 writers/producers. There is a great Westlife album waiting to be made. This just isn’t it.