Born Healer

'We Got the Right to Be Free’, the latest offering from Born Healer, is a ten-track journey through soulful Blues, British Rock grit, and an unshakeable groove. It’s an album that tips its hat to tradition while adding fresh colours and surprising turns along the way.

The opener, ‘Buried Alive’, sets the tone with a soulful Blues lament on the pressures of modern life, yet it’s lifted by bright, optimistic guitar riffs that suggest survival and resilience. ‘Worksong’ follows with a grittier drive, powered by a chunky, propulsive rhythm section reminiscent of Free in their prime.

With a Spin Doctors–style intro, ‘Silver Girl’ showcases Helen Turner’s vocal dexterity, giving her space to cut loose before a piercing guitar solo takes over. The mood then shifts with ‘Ticket Outta Here’, a wistful, heartfelt mourning of a break-up.

‘Heartbeat’ finds Turner channelling the spirit of her compatriot Sharleen Spiteri, riding a catchy groove that blends raw Blues guitar with Pop-inflected hooks. ‘Shallow Roots’ loosens the vibe with a Funk-infused swagger, bouncing along with the same cheeky energy as the Happy Mondays’ ‘Kinky Afro’.

Drama builds in ‘Storm’s A’ Comin’’, where pounding drums and an ominous bassline conjure the tension of thunder gathering overhead. It evokes shades of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Black Magic Woman’. ‘Money & Time’ nods to Pink Floyd’s similarly titled work, before being jolted into life by the squelch of a dirty wah-wah guitar and soulful vocal bursts.

‘Done and Dusted’ storms in as the album’s rowdy, rockier wild child; short, sharp, and full of bite. The closer, ‘Sunset Sucker’, drifts in on sun-bleached chords and a laid-back backbeat, leaving the listener with a warm sense of release.

With ‘We Got the Right to Be Free’, Born Healer deliver an assured, varied, and engaging release. They move effortlessly from heartfelt ballads to swaggering grooves, creating a record that is as emotionally resonant as it is musically satisfying.

Ivan De Mello