James Bay - Chaos and the Calm
James Bay is a young English songwriter of 25 years old and the least that can be said is that it is steeped in talent. This Chaos and The Calm is his first album and it already shows a strong musical maturity and proves that he is also a good guitarist and a great composer.
At 11 he decided to play guitar after listening to Cream and Clapton’s Layla (taste good kid, I must admit). A few years later, a cameraman noticed him in a bar, film his performance and put the video on youtube. He’s signed a few days later by a label from New York. Beautiful story.
Yes ladies, I see you come, he is rather handsome, I admit but mostly he has an incredible talent and a musical background made of soul, rock, some sweetness and electricity. We hear Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Springsteen and we guess the benevolent will of Jeff Buckley even if he is not there yet.
“Craving” is a rather jovial electrical title where the high-pitched voice of James Bay wonders. The title is nice, the chorus is catchy. Pleasant. Certainly not transcendent but damn good. The hit single Hold Back The River is significantly better. The song is built around lovely guitar parts and a wonderful text. The chorus of voices are sumptuous. To consume without moderation. It does not hurt the ears, I assure you. Excellent bass line also. And what about the dark and melancholic Let It Go? A mature writing despite the 25 years old of James Bay, a melodic build, very subtle and gentle. One of the finest tracks on the album. Without a doubt. And always thoughtful lyrics. I love a lot If You Ever Want To Be In Love with its piano intro and the chorus and rhythm that would not disown Michael McDonald and Steely Dan. Once again an unstoppable chorus worked in the rock. A work certainly goldsmith.
We change of style with the rock'n'roll Best Fake Smile and its electric guitars and the funky/soul When We Were on Fire and his background vocals from space. Good taste without any false note. You hit the foot my friend? This is normal and it is a good sign. Do not deprive yourself. Sublime. We continue ?
“Move Together” slows the rhythm with a cozy and muffled sound. With beautiful cello and string arrangements. It should be noted the excellent production of Jacquire King who has worked with Tom Waits, Kings of Leon, Buddy Guy and Norah Jones among others. This means the talent of the guy. Back to the sumptuous and dark Scars where predominates the voice and guitar of James Bay. A title worthy of the great Dan Fogelberg.
This is definitely a very eclectic album since Collide is a rock'n'roll as fairly fit-in (it's not AC/DC eh?). Get Out While You Can is Springsteenian in its construction although James' voice is different from the boss. But this title is nice. Need To Break The Sun reminds me of Ben Howard. Sweet, melancholy, haunting acoustic guitar, piano and always a chorus that remains long in mind. Nice moment. We end with another acoustic moment, Incomplete. Still nice words. And always a chorus ...
Finally a first album that we can listen to without displeasure, with various styles and influences. A young man with the golden voice, a fine writing and with already solid compositions. I promise him a very bright future if he can keep his head on his shoulders, some other great talents also went astray for less than that.
Click to go on the facebook page of James Bay
Published on january 30, 2016
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