In Winter is the seventh studio album by British singer-songwriter Katie Melua. It was released through BMG Rights Management on 14 October 2016. The album comprises a collection of seasonal covers from various cultures, and some original works reflecting on Melua's upbringing during Georgia's Soviet era and the difficult times of its subsequent civil war.
Background For this record, Melua went back to her native Georgia to record an album with the Gori Women's Choir, a native Georgian all-woman singing troupe. She teamed up with co-producer Adam 'Cecil' Bartlett, and travelled to the town of Gori, where they set up a recording studio in the local community arts centre. For the special choral arrangements, she brought in composer Bob Chilcott. This was Melua's first album since the end of her six album partnership deal with Mike Batt on his Dramatico Record label.
Critical reception
Andy Gill from The Independent described In Winter a "cocoa-warm and comforting" seasonal set that avoids standard carols in favour of reinterpretations like "River" and "The Little Swallow." He highlighted its quieter originals. Writing for The Evening Standard, John Aizlewood called it a return to form after earlier "missteps," describing her performance as "endearingly brittle" and ultimately "she's bewitching," with the Gori Women's Choir adding layered warmth to its seasonal concept. Matt Collar of AllMusic likewise described it as a "gorgeously rendered holiday-themed effort," recorded in Georgia and blending "haunting classical harmonies" with reflective originals and carefully selected covers including "River" and "O Holy Night." Joanna O'Donnell, writing for The Dorset Echo, characterised the album as a stripped-back seasonal concept made in a DIY studio with the choir, noting its wintry, fireside atmosphere, and highlighting "Dreams on Fire" for its lingering philosophical line, "if all your dreams were on fire, which one would you save?"
Track listing
Charts
Weekly charts +Weekly chart performance for In Winter Chart (2016) Peakposition New Zealand Heatseekers Albums (RMNZ) 2
Year-end charts +Year-end chart performance for In Winter Chart (2016) Position Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) 169
Certifications
References