Liam Bailey, an artist primarily known for Chase & Status collaboration 'Blind Faith', offers soulful crooning over rock, blues, soul and acoustic tracks in his long anticipated debut album – the aptly titled 'Definitely Now'.
The opening five tracks showcase Bailey's vibrant energy with retro rock and blues sentiments. The fifth, his latest single 'Villain', received an unexpected feature from rap lord A$AP Ferg, which adroitly juxtaposes classic rock with hip-hop in a fresh and modern approach. At track six, the album takes a mellow folk turn with the beautiful guitar riffs and sombre tones of 'Autumn Leaves'. This migration to the unexpected is a harbinger for the rest of the album and indicative of Bailey's versatility as an artist.
Robust, astute lyrics, in tracks such as, 'So. Maybe Love', the stripped back acoustic 'Battle Hymn Of Central London' and our personal highlight 'So, Down Cold', show Bailey to be a true artist in both craft and integrity.
Four tracks in the latter half of the record, from 'Crazy Situation' to 'Stun Me', are a subtle nod back to the artist's earlier, classically soulful material, like the '2am Rough Tracks' EP released by the late Amy Winehouse on her Lioness Records imprint. While the album's finale is yet another unconventional twist with ultra-modern, uptempo production from Zane Lowe.
Bailey's debut has been well worth the wait – acting as a welcomed reminder that feature artists can make it big.
8/10
Words: Lizzie Goodman
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