Cheers to the Fall

In the opening moments of Cheers to the Fall, Andra Day sings, “There’s nothin’ I can sing now, that ain’t been sung before.” It might seem like a confession, but as Day blasts through her debut album with grit and style to spare, she proves to be a soul revivalist with refreshing verve—and a kindred spirit to powerhouse singers like Etta James and Amy Winehouse. Most of the music is brassy retro-soul with a sweltering Stax inflection (“Forever Mine,” “Gold,” “Gin & Juice”), but when Day opens up with a big-hearted ballad like “Rise Up,” she’s just as stunning.