Before I start with the post, I want to explain what a blind review is and why I decided to do it.
First of all for those who don’t know, a blind review will be me reviewing the album without knowing ANYTHING about the artist I am reviewing. No research, no previous listening, nothing. Just listening to the album as it is.
My main reason for doing this is to expand the music library and try new music that I wouldn’t perhaps come across before. The reviews are also a great way to get across what I thought of each album I review in this way.
The first album I have picked for this type of review is GEORGE EZRA’s Staying At Tamara’s. The advert for this record appeared on the TV a lot over the festive break and it was this advert that confirmed my decision add the blind review feature.
When I press play on the record, the first impressions I got that GEORGE EZRA’s song writing is fantastic. His lyrical content across the album is poetic and expressive, in some songs you know the words on the first listen. Example of this can be found in the chorous of Sugarcoat where only after hearing it twice, I found myself singing along. Another instance of the great songwriting comes in the track Get Away with the line “shot down by anxiety” that a lot of us can relate to.
The next thing I notice a high level of empowering and happy melodies that come from the album. “Hey pretty smiling people” are one of the first lyrics from the album that come accompanied by brilliant instrumental arrangements. Even the slower songs such as All My Love and Only A Human emulate hope and happiness.
On the day I first listened to this record, I was feeling down and upset. From the uplifting opener Pretty Shining People to the haunting The Beautiful Dream, my mood lifted instantly. The songs are fantastically put together by George’s brilliant voice, guitar work and uplifting melodies from the backing instruments.
So if you are looking for something different and upbeat to add to your music library then look no further than Staying At Tamara’s. You are all invited.
Hope you enjoyed reading my first blind review, if you have any suggestions for my next blind review I would love to hear them and try these albums out. Anything from classical music to black metal, I am open to trying anything.
