Album Review // Tom Odell - Long Way Down

Yesterday I read an appalling review of Tom Odell's debut album 'Long Way Down' on the NME website and it really struck a cord with me. I don't mean an appalling review of the album itself, I mean the tone it had been written in. Don't get me wrong... I'm well aware that everybody has their own individual music taste, but to show such barefaced disrespect to an artist in a review written clearly with an agenda really knocked NME down a peg or two in my books. This particular review really inspired me to get my own voice out in the public domain, to be heard by anybody who was interested in listening. And so What Emily Loves was born... hello!

One last thing before I go on... I have absolutely no musical background whatsoever, just a huge love for music so forgive me if I get anything wrong. This is just a brief personal review of the album, nothing too technical.

ANYWAY, on with the review. I have waited excitedly for the release of 'Long Way Down' ever since I heard the 'Songs From Another Love' EP late last year and fell instantly in love with his emotion-filled vocals. I have listened to it on repeat over the past couple of weeks and I can honestly say I can't get enough of it.

Photograph taken from www.tomodell.com

Whenever there is a track by track commentary of an album I'm always eager to listen to it, and whilst listening to Odell's I found his shyness and his honesty to be quite endearing. He says that he finds it easier to write and produce music when he is being honest and I think this is portrayed well in each track. He explores  different emotions throughout the album, the main emotion being heartbreak which is balanced out with the odd uplifting track such as 'Grow Old With Me' and 'Hold Me'. The unique thing about the album for me, is that the heartbreak isn't so obvious, it isn't laid on thick in the lyrics but felt more in his keyboard melodies.

'Another Love' is the first track I ever heard by Odell, I loved it from the first listen and it's harmonies still give me chills now. 'Can't Pretend' is another brilliant track, it's quite dark but not in a slit-your-wrists morbid kind of way. 'I Think It's Going To Rain Today' is another beautiful little track on the album, made up of just fragile vocals and delicate keyboard sounds.

I think the album overall is perfect for lazy Sunday morning listening, or maybe a relaxing accompaniment to a bubble bath and some well deserved down time. Sadness runs throughout the album but it's nothing too tragic that will make you want to crawl into bed and wallow in self-pity so don't be afraid to give it a listen.

Top Three

• 'Grow Old With Me'
• 'Another Love'
• 'Supposed To Be'

8/10

Have you listened to this album? What are your thoughts?

Emily x