Gabrielle de Val – ‘Time To Die’

(Pride & Joy Music)

Gabrielle de Val returns with Time To Die, and if the title rings a bell, that’s no accident. Inspired by Blade Runner, this title track carries a cinematic, neon-lit atmosphere while staying firmly rooted in classic melodic rock. Think big emotions, big chorus, and a sharp sense of identity, this is Gabrielle de Val doing what she does best, but with an extra layer of mood and menace.

Vocally, Gabrielle de Val is once again on commanding form. Her voice is powerful, expressive, and perfectly suited to this kind of emotional storytelling. She knows when to soar and when to pull back, giving the songs space to breathe. There’s confidence here, but also vulnerability, which fits the Blade Runner influence perfectly humanity versus machinery, heart versus fate.

Musically, this is top-shelf melodic rock. Guitars crunch without overpowering, keyboards add texture rather than cheese, and the rhythm section keeps everything driving forward with purpose. The production is clean and punchy, but crucially, it doesn’t sand down the album’s grit.

Fans of ‘I Am The Hammer’ will be intrigued to check out ‘Shine’ and ‘The Jig-saw Man’,  which were both cut from her previous album, they finally get their moment here and they fit Time To Die like they were always meant to be here. Rather than feeling like leftovers, they slot seamlessly into this EP’s darker, more cinematic flow.

‘Hold On’ deserves a special mention too. Featuring Mick Devine, this duet appears here in a different version from the one found on the Kiss In A Dragon Night album. The reworked approach gives the song a fresh emotional angle, and the vocal chemistry between de Val and Devine remains a real highlight.

If you love melodic rock with strong vocals, atmosphere, and songs that stick, Time To Die is an absolute no-brainer. Stylish, dramatic, and very much alive

7/10

Essential Track – ‘The Jig-Saw Man’

Review by Woody