Hearing 5 of the still to be mixed tracks from this album a year ago I knew that we would be in for something special. But whilst the wait may be over for me there’s another two months till Cassidy Paris’ second album for Frontiers hits the shelves. We have of course already had a taste of what’s to come with the singles ‘Butterfly’ and ‘Stronger’, and now the new single ‘Getting Better’, but that is only part of the story. And if I’m honest – the best is yet to come.
2025 was the sort of year that played out the highs and lows of the music business through social media for Cassidy. There was the news of the new record, a wonderfully well-received spot at the Frontiers Rock Festival, and a European Tour with Harem Scarem. The on the edge of a second UK Tour, it was all torn away. The day before the UK Tour that would have finished with the Call of The Wild Festival, the news came that “Due to unforeseen circumstances, Alex & Tom have decided to part ways with the band. Therefore, the upcoming Cassidy Paris UK leg of the tour will be postponed until further notice.“
Now that’s the sort of highs and lows that are bound to make an impact, so it’s a mark of Cassidy’s incredible resilience that she has grabbed the negatives and torn them to pieces. And if I can steal the title of the final track on the album, a song about resilience and self belief (and a late addition written specifically about those circumstances) she has only gotten ‘Stronger’…
If you’re a fan and have been waiting since 2023’s debut album ‘New Sensation’ for new music then it’s well worth the wait. You’ll already have heard and presumably love the opener ‘Butterfly’, it’s a song that’s as catchy as hell: a perfect hit of Pop with a undercurrent of 80’s rock, a hit of P!nk and a huge chorus. Not a bad way to start at all. It’s a great opener but far from my favourite here, and that’s the best thing about this record – it is full of great songs not just a few standouts.
‘Nothing Left To Lose’ is satisfyingly heavier with a crunching riff and great call and response with her strong vocal balanced against a smoother male response. It rubs up nicely against the soaring Pop Rock of ‘Finish What We Started’ that stutters nicely , all cool and attitude, it’s completely infectious, and man, that chorus just pulls you into summer!
There’s a lot of raw emotion within these grooves but never a sense of defeat, underlying it all is a confidence and an optimism that will serve her well in the Industry. Sometimes it seems you can not only come through to the other side you can do it with real style and respectfully: “This is the most honest and raw I’ve ever been with songs. This record feels like it’s a part of me. Like reading a diary of my life over the past couple of years. Releasing this is both so exciting and equally emotional because, when I started, I had no idea of the journey I would go on personally in my life. This record is love, strength and immense heartbreak. It’s emotions on a level I didn’t even know existed prior to this season of life. It truly lives up to its name in its entirety. I hope you to love it as much as I did creating it”.
‘Wannabe’ adds more infectious Pop nous that will get you dancing; and new single ‘Getting Better’, Cassidy describes as “the missing puzzle piece to ‘Stronger’ (the album’s final track). Together they tell an important story about overcoming difficult situations and not tolerating degrading and hurtful behaviour. You are strong and you are powerful. You are deserving of where you are, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. It is vital to me that people know my story and the truth. Through these songs, I am able to deliver that”. Sonically it’s a real burst of positive affirming energy, and lyrically it underlines that message. Love the guitars too, they really underpin it all so beautifully.
Watch the official video for “Getting Better” HERE
Everything that follow those first five have a lot to live up to, but that’s the quality of this record – it doesn’t relent. ‘Give Me Your Love’ that comes next completely mixes it up, swaggering in like a Bluesy Tom Jones or Joe Cocker number. It’s a lovely change of pace and a real wild card and great fun. ‘Can’t Let Go’ takes us back to the script gently. Opening with bright strummed guitars and slowing the pace. It’s a beautiful ballad and Cassidy sounds at her best.
This is a helluva assured album and whilst you can certainly feel the hand of Paul Laine when you look back at the debut album and preceding singles you can feel Cassidy shing through brighter than ever. I love the heavier numbers like ‘Undecided’ that have that Hard Rock chug that recalls the glorious late 80’s yet has a distinctly modern spin. It’s made to be played live! ‘Sucker For Your Love’ that follows keeps that thought and might be even better – a wonderful ‘bright blue sky rocker’ that just makes you feel good – and at one level what more do you need? Nine songs in you realise that we could be looking at ‘album of the year’ territory.
‘Brand New Day’ adds more perfect Pop, I love the contrast with the moodier, yearning ‘Is Anybody Out There’ another slower number that really hits the spot. We then switch into the lush melodies of ‘Turn Around And Kiss Me’ which like the opener you could imagine roaring up the charts in the hands of an artist like P!nk. It’s great fun – a perfect slice of Pop Rock.
We close with the song that almost didn’t make it. ‘Stronger’ is the song that came after the deadline, a late admission that bottles the turmoil of 2025 events and lays them bare. Its a song that not only encapsulates everything that you will love about this album, it’s the song that will drive Cassidy onto bigger and better things. “I got stronger when I said goodbye to you” is surely the perfect retort to anyone as you watch them disappear in the distance through the rearview mirror and hit the road towards bigger and better things. It’s not bitter, it’s just you standing stronger than before, more intent and determined to make your mark.
The press release perhaps best sums things up: “Featuring songwriting contributions from Paul Laine and Steve Brown, “Bittersweet” showcases Cassidy’s growth not just as a performer but as a songwriter with a message. Lyrically honest and emotionally charged, the album balances hook-filled anthems with heartfelt ballads, capturing both vulnerability and strength. Sometimes the things you don’t expect inspire you rather than beat you down, and sometimes you can channel that emotion into great art with a little help from those you hold dear. Heart, power and passion in every note.
Pre-Order “Bittersweet” HERE
‘Bittersweet’ Tracklist:
1. Butterfly
2. Nothing Left To Lose
3. Finish What We Started
4. Wannabe
5. Getting Better
6. Give Me Your Love
7. Can’t Let Go
8. Undecided
9. Sucker For Your Love
10. Brand New Day
11. Is Anybody Out There
12. Turn Around And Kiss Me
13. Stronger
