By David O’Neill
As a long-time follower of Glenn Hughes’ incredible career — from his Deep Purple days (I got to see DP MkIII aged 15 post ‘Burn’!) to Black Country Communion and all his solo adventures — I was waiting for ‘Chosen’ with both excitement and curiosity. At this point, Hughes has nothing left to prove. Yet once again, he delivers an album that shows why he’s still rightfully called “The Voice Of Rock”.
‘Chosen’ exhibits remarkable energy throughout its tracks. Despite Glenn’s current age in his seventies, his vocal performance demonstrates impressive strength and depth, transitioning fluidly between subtle emotional passages and powerful rock elements. Each track is characterized by a dynamic quality, attributable not only to Glenn’s vocals but also to the cohesive and spirited performance of the accompanying band.
‘Chosen’ combines heavy, riff-driven rock with Glenn’s signature grooves and funk. The album feels authentic and reflects his decades-long style of heartfelt, timeless rock. Some tracks deliver powerful guitars and rhythms, while others highlight Glenn’s soulful expression.
The album’s lyrics convey themes that are introspective, spiritual, and encouraging. It consistently reflects a narrative of resilience and overcoming adversity. This is particularly relevant to Hughes, given his widely reported experiences with personal challenges and subsequent successful re-emergence as an artist maintaining a high standard of performance.
As a fan, I appreciate that ‘Chosen’ stands out as an essential work, showing Glenn Hughes isn’t relying on nostalgia but continues to challenge himself and sing with impressive passion.
For anyone who loves rock music with soul, grit, and heart, ‘Chosen’ isn’t just worth hearing — it’s essential. Glenn Hughes once again reminds us why his voice, his spirit and his music are truly one of a kind.
- ‘Chosen‘ is released today (Friday 5 September).
- Glenn Hughes is currently on tour, with dates in England and Scotland next month:
