"Love Is Back" is a song by British singer
Celeste. It was released through Both Sides and
Polydor Records on 31 December 2020 as the fourth single from her debut studio album Not Your Muse.[1][2] The song was co-written by Celeste and both
Jamie Hartman and his daughter Ettie and features production from Josh Crocker and
Charlie Hugall.[3][4]
Composition
"Love Is Back" is a
retro-soul[5][6][7] song "filled with punchy
brass, jangling guitar riffs and velvety vocals that melt over the soulful production".[8] It is also built around "horns and a heavy drum groove".[5]
Critical reception
In a write-up for The New York Times, Lindsay Zoladz wrote that Celeste "croons coolly for much of the song before a dazzling grand finale showcases the strength of her smoky voice, which recalls both
Amy Winehouse and
Billie Holiday."[9] Deep Shah of
ColorsxStudios noted that the song "encompasses an enriching and uplifting atmosphere with its twinkling soundscape".[10]Billboard described it as "rousing" and praised Celeste's vocal "swoons",[11] while NME described it as a "confident and sultry belter" which indicates that the singer is "well on her way to becoming the latest
British soul hero."[8] Writing for The Honey Pop, Emily Defoor agreed that Celeste is "on the rise of being the new queen of soul", and further described the song as a "dreamy" mixture of "hypnotic vocals and feel good beats".[12] Alexander Zwerner of Earmilk described the song as "gorgeous" and "uplifting", and highlighted its "groove-laden production" and "enriching and uplifting ambiance” while praising Celeste's "incredibly sanguine" lyrics.[6] In a write-up for Nothing but Hope and Passion, Liv Toerkell the song as a "retro-sounding gem" and wrote that Celeste's "soaring vocals are pure soul" while highlighting how she "unleashes her full range in a goosebump-evoking outcry" towards the end of the song.[5]
The official music video for "Love Is Back" was directed by Sammy King and released on 21 January 2021.[22] It features guest appearances from
Melanie C,
Miss Jason, Faye Wei Wei,
Princess Julia,
Jaime Winstone, Elheist, and Josephine Jones.[23]
^Sa, Djamel (24 November 2019).
"CELESTE Live Paris Salle Pleyel 23 Novembre 2019". YouTube. Retrieved 17 January 2021. First part of the concert of Michael Kiwanuka 23rd November 2019 Salle Pleyel, Paris.