Singles

Amy Winehouse - Rehab

Tim Miller 20/10/2006

Rating: 4/5

Clearly, Ms. Winehouse is not one to shy away from the harsh light of the all-too-quick-to-judge critics. And although her battles with addictions are nowhere near as well-documented as, say, Kate Moss', it is still a brazen step to open her new single, preceding her second album 'Back To Black', with the line, 'They tried to make me go to rehab, I said no, no, no'.

Amy Winehouse must be sick of puns on her surname, too, but while she can sing, there will be noise enough to drown out the critics. This, an unflinching story of her personal battle with drink, is told through her strong, jazz-tinged vocals. Bold without being boastful, respectful without admitting defeat, Amy Winehouse is back in the public eye for the right reasons. This single, her rich voice topping a superb throwback to Phil Spector-produced 60s girl groups, complete with funky brass, piano and choral oohs and aahs, is a statement of intent, to get back to her fresh, dazzling best. On this evidence, Amy Winehouse is not at all far away.