Much-loved local songstress Ira Losco is no stranger to Malta’s music scene, having become a household name over the last 15 years. Yesterday, she released her latest contribution to the industry: much awaited body of work No Sinner No Saint, which divided into two CDS, one title ‘No Sinner’ and the other ‘No Saint’, with each including 11 brand new tracks as well as a bonus track.

“Following the huge success of ‘The Fire’ was daunting, but once I started writing I realised this was not like previous albums. The changes that unfolded in my personal life surely had an impact in some way or other on my writing,” she says, adding that it seemed right to celebrate so many active years in music.

“No Sinner No Saint’ is a manifestation of who I am. I’m neither a Sinner nor a Saint, but a bit of both at different selected times in my life. The idea of the double album is to enjoy both sides in whichever order one wants,” says the singer.

Since tumbling into the local music scene with her spirited rendition of Seventh Wonder at the 2002 Eurovision Song Contest, Malta’s ‘queen of pop’, as she is often referred to, has released six studio albums, two full-length remix albums, a full-length DVD, a 400-page photographic journal and two EPs. ‘No Sinner No Saint’ is Ira Losco's seventh studio album.

All tracks were produced and mixed by Howard Keith at Jagged House studios. “Whilst the album has a very current sound to it, ‘No Sinner No Saint’ has lots of personality, with an eclectic variety of genres retaining Losco’s identified sound. I say this with every album but truthfully her vocals just keep getting better,” Howard says.

And the tracks are certainly varied – mixing a variety of genres and musical influences as wide ranging as 80s sounds and 90s old-school rap! The album also includes Ira’s most recent singles, namely ‘We Are The Soldiers’, ‘OMG’ , ‘One in A Million’ and an anniversary edition of one of her very first singles ‘Love me or Hate me’ which she announced at her sold out concert last Christmas.

Just last week, Ira released the Coca-Cola anthem for the FIFA World Cup ‘Colours’, featuring none other than Jason Derulo (that’s right, Jason De-ruuulo!) You can catch the star at her next live concert in Gozo, which will take place at Hondoq Bay on 6th July, followed by an intimate performance at Infinity 11th floor, H Hotel on 14th July. Ira has also announced that this album will be accompanied with more music video releases, a full length ‘making of’ video and a vast selection of merchandise – we can’t wait!

‘No Sinner No Saint’ is currently available from all digital platforms, while physical copies, including two CDs, will be available in all leading outlets as well as www.jaggedhouse.com from next Monday 25th June. Ira fans will also have the chance to get their hands on a signed copy at a meet-and-greet being held this Saturday 23rd June at Nestle, Lija. Album lyrics are available for free download from Ira Losco’s site.

Kris Micallef