Album Review: The Afterlove - James Blunt

James Blunt is an English singer-songwriter from Hampshire. He has been in the music industry since 2003, but before was a reconnaissance officer for the British Army. James Blunt released his debut studio album, 'Back To Bedlam', in 2004 and from this the singles, 'You're Beautiful' and 'Goodbye My Lover', accelerated him to worldwide fame. This album was named the 'best selling album of the 2000's in the UK'.

His second studio album, 'All The Lost Souls', came 3 years later in 2007. It was certified gold in the UK after four days. The album was met with mixed reviews but many high end media organisations praised it. The first single, '1973' was very successful, reaching number one on the Billboard European Hot 100 Singles Chart.

The third studio album, 'Some Kind Of Trouble', was released in 2010 but didn't do as well as expected. However, the lead single, 'Stay The Night', achieved a lot more success in Europe than in the UK.

'Moon Landing', was Blunt's fourth studio album, which was released in 2013. The lead single, 'Bonfire Heart', reached much higher chart positions than the last album, with it peaking 4th in the UK Singles Chart, number one is Australia, Germany, Switzerland and Austria, as well as being in the top 10 in several other countries. Late 2014, 'Moon Landing' was re-released as 'Moon Landing - Apollo Edition'. It contained 19 tracks - 11 from the original disc, 3 bonus tracks from the deluxe version and 5 new tracks. It also contained a 19-track live DVD recording from Blunt's performance at the Paleo Festival.

Album Track Listing:

1. Love Me Better

2. Bartender

3. Lose My Number

4. Don't Give Me Those Eyes

5. Someone Singing Along

6. California

7. Make Me Better

8. Time Of Our Lives

9. Heartbeat

10. Paradise

11. Courtney's Song

12. 2005

13. Over

*Fun Fact: James Blunt's first studio album, 'Back To Bedlam', was the second album I ever bought!*

Ok.. So I really like James Blunt, especially his older stuff. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this album, but just by the third song it was obvious that he is trying to sound like others in the charts at the moment. He has gone in a very different direction to what I thought, and in a way I am a bit disappointed but then I understand that artist's change their perspective and the type of music they feel they should be making. However, some of the songs his voice just didn't match with, which is a shame because the lyrics are very good, and sound quite personal.

'Love Me Better' sounded very much like a Justin Bieber song (before the singing obvs), and this is one of the songs that James' voice doesn't match to the tune. As it went on I was thinking how much it sounded like a song I have heard very recently... then it hit... 'Closer' by The Chainsmokers, but not as good and catchy. However, all the bad points aside, I loved the lyrics - they sounded very personal and like he's taken them from his own experiences.

'Bartender' was a little bit better and was more his sort of genre. It was really catchy, and all I can describe it as is being a modern love song. I liked the lyrics.

Onto the third song, 'Lose My Number'. I figured that up to now (I know it's only the third song) the songs all sound very similar. Obviously they all have their own unique bits to them but I don't think I could distinguish the differences between them all. This was the song that made me think he wanted to be like everyone else in the charts. Let's just say it's not a favourite.

'Don't Give Me Those Eyes' is a step in the right direction for me. It is a much slower song about love/heartbreak. However, I found that on certain parts of the song, auto tune was very prominent. Also, a warning, if you don't like songs that continuously repeat the same part of a song, this is not one for you.

'Someone Singing Along' instantly made me shout YES. This song is old school James Blunt material and it's really catchy! This is my favourite song off the whole album, and I wish the others had gone more along this path.

'California' is another song that wasn't him, especially the verse. However, the chorus was a lot better. One thing that was nagging me through this song was that his voice sounded weird.. I'm not sure if it was because I hadn't listened to his songs in a while so wasn't used to his distinctive voice or if he was trying to make it different to be more 'in' by pronouncing words weirdly.

The seventh song on the album is 'Make Me Better'. I did get it confused with 'Love Me Better' but they are two very different songs! This is a very slow, love song.. very James Blunt. I did like this song a lot more. It did make me think that maybe I just prefer is voice on a slower more meaningful songs rather than fast paced?

This was the moment he changed my mind about this album. I found that 'Time Of Our Lives' was much more suited to his voice. It was slow and emotional, yet such an easy song to listen to. 'Heartbeat' was another song that suited his voice so much better because it was a slow song. It didn't have much production to it which was refreshing. My notes say that 'Paradise' had exactly the same critic as the previous two!

'Courtney's Song' was another heartfelt one, however, I don't think I would listen to it as much because it was just the same throughout. It felt like it wasn't going anywhere.

'2005' was one I've been thinking about since I listened to it... It sounded like a slow love song, but when you listen to the lyrics it was about his personal experiences and how his life changed once his 'hit' in 2005 blew up. I really really like it, and the fact he is getting his emotions out in this song unlike every other song in the charts now-a-days. I think it might be another favourite alongside 'Someone Singing Along'.

The last song on the album is 'Over' which is a bit more upbeat, and his voice does suit this one! It is quite nice to have it as the closing track.

Overall, I think I definitely preferred the second half of the album. It was more of what I perceive James Blunt to be. I know I have been a bit harsh but it is my honest opinion - and remember it is just MY opinion.