The debut self-titled album from U.K. girl band All Saints was released in 1998, and was one of the first CDs I bought. Grafting R&B beats with a pop sheen and low-slung attitude, they honestly felt like the coolest British girl group of the late '90s. Most people around the world know them from a sweet ballad, “Never Ever,” though I always thought they were best when they were a lil more offbeat, like on tracks like “I Know Where It’s At,” “Bootie Call,” and the William-Orbit produced “Black Coffee."
They announced a comeback earlier this year, with forthcoming album Red Flag, and—obviously—a corresponding emoji. I’m always wary of veteran pop acts treading the comeback trail, but their new single "One Strike" is great. It's exactly the song you need for when the days are getting longer, with its Blood Orange-ish guitar, wavy synth lines and the four-piece's signature harmonies which, 20 years after they debuted, still sound so good.
Red Flag is out on April 8.