With his dreamy rock star good looks, angelic voice and gunslinger guitar chops 27-year-old British singing sensation James Bay lies somewhere between Rick Springfield and Jeff Buckley, perhaps more “Jessie’s Girl” than “Last Goodbye”. Electric Light, the follow up to his 2015 chart topping #1 award winning double platinum debut album, should do much to solidify his standing as one of England’s top rising new stars with its tantalizing mix of edgy modern-day R&B flavored pop rock and affectations of ‘70s street style sexy. Bay teases his way through much of this big commercial pop record utilizing quick flourishes of sneak guitar swagger and that unstoppable golden voice of his. A unique mixture of rock n roll posturing and sensibility blended with all the earmarks of modern pop, Bay’s Electric Light, when not mired down in one of the albums all too many tedious mid-tempo ballads, subtly evokes the slightest whiff of sleazy glam from its original golden era. Channeling his heroes, Bay oozes sexy, sway and cocksure confidence throughout.
Rating: 7/10
Star Rating: 3.25/5
2018 Song Of The Day Club Album Review 21/52