After first hearing of Tom Odell when he won the Critics’ choice award at the BRITs earlier this year, I just had to have a listen to the few songs he had released because if the past few winners are anything to go by, they get majorly successful in a very short space of time. Think the likes of Adele, Jessie J and Emile Sande…
Now that his album is out I think Tom Odell is set to do exactly the same. His debut album ‘Long Way Down’ was initially set for release in April, but he made the decision to delay it until June 24th. This decision was said to prevent it leaking with Tom having said “These days having different release dates would mean the album may end up getting leaked which is not fair on all of you who paid for it,” denying claims that it was because his single ‘Hold Me’ failed to make it to the top 40. Whatever the reason though; it certainly paid off because it’s been announced today that it made number 1.
And in my opinion it’s a thoroughly well deserved chart position. His latest single ‘Another love’ did much better too, reaching number 10 in the single charts. So it seems he is well on his way to gaining the recognition he deserves, especially after a brilliant performance at Glastonbury earlier today too which was shown on BBC and will soon be online at BBC Glastonbury.
The album itself has faced some tough criticism from the likes of NME – who rated it a measly 0/10 and described it as bland, resulting in an angry Mr Odell calling up the magazine to defend his son. Personally, I disagree with the criticism. I’m a big fan of emotional ballad style songs and this album certainly didn’t disappoint in the way of those.
It’s definitely one of those albums where with every listen it gets better. The more angsty tracks such as ‘Hold me’, are sure to make you feel his emotion in a totally different way to those such as ‘Supposed to be,’ one of my other personal favourites from the album; which is much slower and tells the story of a broken heart.
‘Grow Old With Me’, has been described by some as a very Chris Martin-esque style track, but that can only be seen as a complement surely? It’s a great opener for the album and sets the mood from the get go, starting off as a near acapella ballad to showcase his voice (and piano playing skills) and gradually building up the pace throughout. Followed by ‘Hold Me’ where we see another side to his voice in a more upbeat and passion filled track. In the next track which is his latest single ‘Another love’, Odell manages to let his emotion come through without the dramatics, the intensity but simplicity of the video alongside it helping it to do so.
All in all it might not be the most lively album you’ll ever hear, but when you just want to relax with a decent easy listening album by an undeniably talented vocalist, you really can’t go wrong with ‘Long Way Down’.
Tom Odell’s tour of the UK this October is on sale now – so grab tickets while you can, and while they’re at a bargain price of just £13.
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