With a gravelly, whisky-drenched voice that belies his young years, George Ezra delivers a captivating debut album that will take you on a journey
George Ezra/ Wanted on Voyage
It's tough to stand out in the music industry, especially when you're a male troubadour with a guitar as your go-to instrument. The guitar-wielding one-man shtick has been done to death since, well, forever. The latest to join the ranks is the 21-year-old singer-songwriter George Ezra from Hertfordshire, England. Ezra, who placed fifth in the BBC Sound of 2014, manages to stand out from the crowd with a voice that belies his years (and baby face). And what a voice it is — the gravelly, whisky-drenched kind that recalls those unique warblings of music veterans such as Bob Dylan and Nick Cave.
Ezra's debut album, Wanted on Voyage, arrives after a string of early singles including the wistful Budapest and stomping Cassy O. It is an accumulation of the singer's experience while he was backpacking across Europe last summer with songs that are full of restless vigour, referencing places such as Barcelona, Amsterdam and even Australia. Echoing the album's nomadic tendencies, opener Blame It On Me is an energetic acoustic stomper where he sings about heading West to "find ourselves some truth". Likewise on Barcelona, he reminisces about a native man who sang in a foreign tongue. "I still ache to know the song that he sung," he croons alongside the shimmering acoustic guitar.
In fact, the majority of Wanted on Voyage is placed within the toe-tapping folk-pop sensibilities with a dash of blues. A lot of the tracks may be inspired by the old-timey sounds, but they each have their own contemporary appeal. Drawing Board, in particular, is an outstanding cut — a vengeful ode to a cheating lover with darkly comical lyrics: "I'll fill your pillow case up with snakes/The man eating kind/Though you call yourself a women, I doubt it they would mind." Stand By Your Gun is an irresistible charmer that finds Ezra sitting comfortably in the summery indie-pop context whereas album closer Spectacular Rival pitches Ezra's solemn baritone against ominous strings. The drama here is in stark contrast to the rest of the album, and it is pretty spectacular.
Wanted on Voyage is a wonderful debut from the fresh-faced Brit who puts his own spin on folk and blues with great flair and aplomb. Like his personality, the songs on the album are immensely likeable, not to mention playful and smart, qualities that set him apart from his peers. Furthermore, he has also proven that he is more than just a unique voice by displaying fluid musicality and songwriting ability that go beyond his age. If this debut is any indication of what Ezra is capable of delivering, he's off to a very good start.
THE PLAYLIST
Moving and Cut/ Chan Mai Keuy Roo
Off the strength of his previous singles Ploi Hai Tua Chan Pai and Hai Jai , Parin Korawis is releasing yet another gem under his solo project Moving and Cut. Production-wise, Chan Mai Keuy Roo (Unsuspecting) sees Parin moving towards a heavier rock sound as he looks back on a past relationship, wishing he could have done things differently. The song is a welcome change from his acoustic inclinations, although we must say his voice lends itself better to easy-listening music.
Years & Years/ Take Shelter
If all this rain is putting a damper on your mood, Years & Years’ latest cut Take Shelter may just be exactly what you need. Here, the rising London synth-pop trio serve up a slice of sunshine with a tropical, hip-swaying dancehall groove. “I’ll wait until you have to go/I’ll make it so you never ever know/How much I have messed it up,” coos frontman Olly Alexander over the soulful melodies. The kicker, though, is when he urges, “Do what you want tonight, it’s alright/If you want to get used …” Talk about summer-induced sexual tension.
Robin Thicke/ Get Her Back
The Blurred Lines singer is back with new music, and this time he’s doing away with sexual innuendos. The introspective R&B ballad Get Her Back is the first taste of Thicke’s seventh studio album named after his ex-wife, Paula. And as you can probably guess, the song is about trying to win her love back. “I should’ve kissed you longer/I should’ve held you stronger,” he croons before adding, “All I wanna do is make it right.” Overall, it’s not too shabby a tune, but fans of his racy last album might find it a bit bland.
Paris Hilton/ Come Alive
Paris Hilton is taking time off her busy DJ-ing schedule to give us her latest single Come Alive , following last year’s Good Time . Lifted from her forthcoming second album, the track finds the famed heiress revelling in the life she’s living, embracing the millennials’ Yolo ethos in the process. “I’m having a dream/Having fun/Loud as my addiction/I don’t care what they say/This life I’m gonna live it,” go the predictable lyrics recorded with heavy use of Auto-Tune. Come Alive , at its best, sounds not unlike a rejected Britney Spears demo.
Ariana Grande (featuring Zedd)/ Break Free
If wigged-out electronic dance music is your thing, Ariana Grande’s new single Break Free will not disappoint. Helmed by German producer Zedd ( Clarity , Stay the Night ) and Swedish hitmaker Max Martin, the song throws the young diva right into the deep end with hands-in-the-air synth crescendos and pulsating four-on-the-floor. Grande manages to stay afloat, delivering an impressive vocal performance during the soaring chorus: “This is the part when/I say I don’t want ya/I’m stronger than I’ve been before.” Hear that, Paris? This is how you do a club anthem.
