Album Review of the Day: James Bay – Chaos and the Calm
Since opening with the track 'Craving', a soul-smelling pop-folk anthem that opens the album "Chaos and the Calm", the British singer, James Bay, has promised precisely what he will bring in this debut album. The album was released after he established himself by releasing several EPs. His slightly sentimental vocals, though not seductive, became the main weapon in moving his song.
And the same sentimentalia is in the next track, 'Hold Back the River', which combines indie-rock with (also) soul. The strength of this song is where Bay plays his vocals in such a way, soft on some parts, and powered in other parts, generating up-lifting spirit very well. No wonder the song not only sounds antemic but also evocative of hearing.
Evocative can also be felt in the track 'Let It Go'. This track shows Bay's brilliance in presenting a melodious and melancholy folk soul song. Little bit of bitterness, but in accordance with the thematic aspects of the song. A song that once heard is not enough and needs to be heard again and again.
Based on these three opening tracks, "Chaos and the Calm" has given a strong impression. What about next? Apparently Bay is able to maintain rhythms that have been built quite well. In general, the album is a composition between classic rock, indie-pop / rock, Americana, folk, and soul and sprinkles of gospel in some songs. With such a style, should have had a shadow of what and how this album and also Bay.
Imagine John Mayer but with a vocal that sounds like James Blunt. So it is possible if the portrayal is simple. But Bay and "Chaos and the Calm" have their own power without having to compare with the seniors.
Bay is able to combine enough masculine rock with sentimentalia, without having to pierce each other to look the most prominent. Listening to 'Best Fake Smile', a spirited up-tempo rock, we can imagine how attractive Bay is when playing the song during live performances. While in 'Move Together' he will hypnotize with the game of emotional vocals snaking.
Listening to songs like retro-disco-soul 'When we Were On Fire' or rock no less retronya, "Get Out While You Can", Bay seems to have a tendency to devote musicality to more classic ... style. It was as if he was still living in the past. This affects the overall "Chaos and the Calm" taste. An album with rich vintage feel.
Not that this album sounds old fashioned. Not really. Bay still sounds current. This is clearly heard in the way of singing is clearly more contemporary in the style of music. Moreover, in some parts the songs remain bandaged with an urban approach, which distinguishes the genre from which it is tributed.
Perhaps the perfect example to describe 'Chaos and the Calm' in one song is the 'Scars' track. It is a representation for the above description. But more importantly, this track showcases Bay's reference wealth in music, as well as showing its subtilities as a singer.
Subtility is the key. No wonder Bay sounds sentimental. Though the taste-after listening to the album to its completion, sentimental is too simple a description for Bay. He just wants to sing songs with a personal context as well as humanist. Songs that seem to speak directly to the listener.
The album closes with 'Incomplete', a sweet ballad track that bursts with a deep feeling of emotion. Bay seemed to confirm if his work is still not perfect. A work that still evolves and finds its true form. Regardless, "Chaos and the Calm" is certainly an album worthy of being heard.