Veronica Swifts third album for Mack Avenue Records is a masterstroke and a kind of "coming out story" for the jazz singer. Swift has already established herself as a virtuoso and versatile artist with her previous albums. On her new album, however, she shows that she can do more than just jazz by exploring different genres such as French and Italian opera, classical music, bossa nova, blues, industrial rock, funk and vaudeville. All the while, her artistic voice remains intact.
Swift describes the album as "transgenre" as she combines her love of jazz music with her passion for rock and soul. She is accompanied by a diverse group of musicians, including Brian Viglione of The Dresden Dolls.
The album opens with an extravagant rendition of "I Am What I Am" from the Broadway musical "La Cage aux Folles", followed by an arrangement of "Closer" by Nine Inch Nails and a storming version of "Do Nothing Till You Hear from Me" by Duke Ellington. Swift shows her versatility and preference for different genres.
The album also includes her version of Queens "The Show Must Go On" and an original composition called "In the Moonlight". Swift sings in several languages, including French and Portuguese, and shows off her impressive vocal skills.
With "Veronica Swift", the artist presents a bold and honest performance that shows her love for music in all its facets. She encourages people to accept all aspects of their personality and to express themselves creatively. Swift has come an impressive distance in recent years and remains an emerging jazz great who continues to push the boundaries of her genre.
