On his debut album, Rag’n’Bone Man fuses all the best parts of pop, gospel, modern hip hop and classic soul – his raw vocals adding to the emotion.
Innocent Man echoes John Legend’s best work, utilising brass horns to full effect, while Skin’s introduction lays the gospel organ on thick before launching into a full choir backing. Be The Man is a poppy number, contrasting the emotional punch of Love You Any Less. Odetta and Grace are much of the same until Ego picks up tempo again, especially with its hip hop verse.
With a nineteen-song tracklist it’s clear there are moments of quantity over quality, which explains Arrow, Life In Her Yet and Your Way Or The Rope. Thankfully the dull moments don’t last long. As You Are has a sweet piano hook that makes it one of the most enjoyable on the album, followed closely by Die Easy – as haunting as it is beautiful. The Fire is another slow-burner but definitely worth the journey.
This epic debut finishes strong, with the thunderous vocals of Lay My Body Down, the upbeat percussion of Wolves, and the must-hear-live atmosphere of Healed. Expect big things to come from Rag’n’Bone Man.
By Chris Bright
