Music > Album Reviews

Rag 'n' Bone Man - Human

23/02/17

You have probably living under a rock if you haven’t heard of Rag ’n’ Bone Man. He's been performing for around 15 years now, but with a shiny new Critic’s Choice Brit Gong on the mantelpiece, and his first album out now, 2017 is set to be Brighton-born Graham’s year. Human was the first time many of us heard his gritty, soulful voice, and we were hooked. Skin (single two) continues the theme, and the voice is really showcased in acapella track Die Easy. The theme of mortality is apparent across most of the tracks on the album, but there are times though when the album loses its way. It's as though Rag’n’Bone Man hasn’t quite decided who he wants to be yet. There’s acapella gospel, soul, blues, synths, piano, strings, autotuning...you name it, it's probably there. It might all feel a bit confused but when you sound like that who really cares. As I write this Human has reached No. 1 in the UK album charts, and Rag ‘n’ Bone Man can now add the accolade of the biggest-selling male debut album of last decade to his 2017 successes.

7.5