Album Review: Human - Rag'n'Bone Man

Rag'n'Bone Man, otherwise known as Rory Graham, is a British singer-songwriter from East Sussex. He has previously released a number of EP's, including, 'Wolves', a collaboration with Mark Crew, through Best Laid Plans Records. He later released another EP called 'Disfigured', with the lead track 'Bitter End' being supported, then play-listed on BBC Radio 1 Xtra, and also made it onto BBC Radio 1's 'In New Music We Trust' playlist.

In 2016, he won the Brits Critics' Choice Awards 2017, and came second on the BBC Music - Sound of 2017, 'The Long List'.

In July 2016, his first single, 'Human', was released through Columbia Records. It did well in the Official Singles Charts in a variety of countries. It is also the first song on his debut album, 'Human', which was released on the 10th February 2017.

Album Track Listing:

1. Human

2. Innocent Man

3. Skin

4. Bitter End

5. Be The Man

6. Love You Any Less

7. Odetta

8. Grace

9. Ego

10. Arrow

11. As You Are

12. Die Easy

13. The Fire

14. Fade To Nothing

15. Life In Her Yet

16. Your Way Or The Rope

17. Lay My Body Down

18. Wolves

19. Healed

(Note: I will not be going into detail about every song on the album, only the ones that stick out to me, personally).

Before this album came out, I had only heard 3 songs before, 'Human', 'Skin' and 'As You Are'. I wanted to wait for a free day where I could just sit and listen to the album, song after song. I didn't really know what to expect but was pleasantly surprised!

The first thing I noticed was how powerful and meaningful his lyrics are. This stood out to me in two songs, 'Lay My Body Down' and 'Love You Any Less'. For both I actually looked up the lyrics and read them through as he was singing because I was drawn to the story and meaning in them. I also love how the album had a range of emotions in it, and how the songs could be perceived differently depending on who listens to it.

I was really shocked at how diverse his vocal range is. In most of the songs you get the raw, gritty voice, which really compliments his style of music and the lyrics. For example, at the beginning of 'Bitter End'. In other, more emotional songs, his voice is soft and soulful, like in 'As You Are'. This album really showed off his talent. I was glad that he also went for some of those higher notes as well, especially in 'Arrow'.

One of my favourite songs, is one that really surprised me, and something I did not expect to be on an album like this. It is 'Die Easy'. It stands out to me because it is just Rag'n'Bone Man singing... no instruments, no backing track, just his voice.

Another aspect of this album are the songs that, when I first heard them, made me bop along and dance like a crazy person! I really liked the chorus of 'Be The Man', and 'Your Way Or The Rope'.

Overall, the album has a bluesy, yet powerful theme running throughout all the songs. It is definitely one of my top albums of this year, and possibly last year, so far. There is not one song I don't like on it, which is rare as there are always one or two songs that people just don't like. I would definitely recommend getting this album, and I know I will be following Rag'n'Bone Man throughout his career.

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