James Bay – Chaos and the Calm

Pop | Indie Rock

79%

James Bay is on a rapid rise to the top. After winning the critics choice award at the Brits, his debut album has now gone on to top the charts. Upon first listen it was easy to see why, the first half of the album is full of well written songs with infectious hooks that have a greater power behind them thanks to Bay’s distinctive voice. Songs like ‘If You Ever Want To Be In Love’ and lead single ‘Hold Back The River’ are full of the kind of sincerity and integrity you’d expect from a singer/songwriter, but also have the polished sheen of a perfectly crafted hit. He excels most during the more tender moments such as the simple yet moving ‘Let It Go’.

Unfortunately whilst the first half is hit after hit, the latter half of the album rather blends together. It isn’t bad music by any means, but the later songs just don’t have the same draw and it’s hard to keep your attention the whole way through. A bit more work on these songs, or a simple reshuffle of the tracklist would  greatly improve the album. Bay remains firmly in his comfort zone in this album and I feel that his follow up will be a make or break affair. His next album needs to impress the whole way through or it will fail miserably as a below average sequel. Fingers crossed!