Hey guys!
What do you expect from a selftitled album?
Well, I expect an honest album; one that represents the artists' signature style.
A musical polaroid.
I think selftitled products should be 100% of the person behind it, otherwise they don't seem very convincing.
Especially with music, something so personal and emotional, it's easy to judge whether an album is honest or not.
Today I'd like to review Jamie Lawson's selftitled record.
Artist: Jamie Lawson
Title: Jamie Lawson
Genre: Acoustic, Folk-Pop
Label: Gingerbread Man Records, Warner Music
Release: 29th February 2016 (German release date)
HITS rating: 8.5/10
Jamie Lawson is a singer/songwriter originally from Plymouth, UK now based in London, UK.
To describe his story, I'd need to write a couple of pages. To avoid that, I'll try to give you the "quick JL guide", but please make sure to check out Jamie's full bio.
The musician from the United Kingdom has been writing and releasing music for years, he's been gigging loads and has built himself a loyal fanbase.
Between our first interview in November 2014 and this one, taped in November 2015,
Jamie got signed to Ed Sheeran's label (Gingerbread Man Records), supported acts such as One Direction on tour, appeared on countless radio and TV shows and released his selftitled record which he's now taking on the road.
Well, I expect an honest album; one that represents the artists' signature style.
A musical polaroid.
I think selftitled products should be 100% of the person behind it, otherwise they don't seem very convincing.
Especially with music, something so personal and emotional, it's easy to judge whether an album is honest or not.
Today I'd like to review Jamie Lawson's selftitled record.
Artist: Jamie Lawson
Title: Jamie Lawson
Genre: Acoustic, Folk-Pop
Label: Gingerbread Man Records, Warner Music
Release: 29th February 2016 (German release date)
HITS rating: 8.5/10
Jamie Lawson is a singer/songwriter originally from Plymouth, UK now based in London, UK.
To describe his story, I'd need to write a couple of pages. To avoid that, I'll try to give you the "quick JL guide", but please make sure to check out Jamie's full bio.
The musician from the United Kingdom has been writing and releasing music for years, he's been gigging loads and has built himself a loyal fanbase.
Between our first interview in November 2014 and this one, taped in November 2015,
Jamie got signed to Ed Sheeran's label (Gingerbread Man Records), supported acts such as One Direction on tour, appeared on countless radio and TV shows and released his selftitled record which he's now taking on the road.
Tracklist:
1) Wasn't Expecting That
1) Wasn't Expecting That
2) Someone For Everyone
3) Cold In Ohio
4) The Only Conclusion
5) Still Yours
6) All Is Beauty
5) Still Yours
6) All Is Beauty
7) Don't Let Me Let You Go
8) Ahead Of Myself
9) In Our Own Worlds
10) Sometimes It's Hard
11) Let Love Hold You Now
First hit single of the album, "Wasn't Expecting That", is the song which welcomes you to the album.
It's an acoustic guitar based song, the instrumentation is very simple, very clear. The guitar is accompanied by a delicate piano and gentle percussions.
The very vivid, storytelling lyrics soak you in and allow you to see the love story in bright pictures.
The subtle use of instruments let Jamie's vocals stand out. His voice transports the honesty of the song in such powerful manner.
Another track which stands out is "Cold In Ohio"; it's similarly calm and simple when it comes to arrangements, yet it's a song that grabs your attention. The song itself doesn't feature one bit of "cold", the atmosphere of the track is warm, friendly and wraps you in like a cozy blanket.
(P.s.: yes, that's Ed Sheeran singing backing vocals.)
"Still Yours" shows Jamie's darker, more mysterious side. The steady and confident drum beat leads through the track, the acoustic guitar in the chorus underlines the positive message in the rather serious song.
To sum it up: Jamie Lawson is honest, passionate and one hell of a storyteller. And so is this album; the simple instrumentations are anything but boring- they are cleverly arranged.
Jamie's vocals are on point; they're expressive, strong, warm and a joy to listen to.
Jamie Lawson delivered a mighty fine album and I wasn't expecting anything else. ;)
You should listen to these tracks: Wasn't Expecting That, Cold In Ohio, Ahead Of Myself
The very vivid, storytelling lyrics soak you in and allow you to see the love story in bright pictures.
The subtle use of instruments let Jamie's vocals stand out. His voice transports the honesty of the song in such powerful manner.
Another track which stands out is "Cold In Ohio"; it's similarly calm and simple when it comes to arrangements, yet it's a song that grabs your attention. The song itself doesn't feature one bit of "cold", the atmosphere of the track is warm, friendly and wraps you in like a cozy blanket.
(P.s.: yes, that's Ed Sheeran singing backing vocals.)
"Still Yours" shows Jamie's darker, more mysterious side. The steady and confident drum beat leads through the track, the acoustic guitar in the chorus underlines the positive message in the rather serious song.
To sum it up: Jamie Lawson is honest, passionate and one hell of a storyteller. And so is this album; the simple instrumentations are anything but boring- they are cleverly arranged.
Jamie's vocals are on point; they're expressive, strong, warm and a joy to listen to.
Jamie Lawson delivered a mighty fine album and I wasn't expecting anything else. ;)
You should listen to these tracks: Wasn't Expecting That, Cold In Ohio, Ahead Of Myself
Thank you for your visit!
**with special thanks to Jamie and Warner Music GER for kindly sending me a copy of the album**
