Tweaking his sound dramatically, James Bay returns with “Wild Love,” the wild, starkly different promo single from his forthcoming sophomore album.

“We don’t have to think it through / We’ve got to let go.” Grammy-nominated, British pop-rock singer-songwriter James Bay is back for round two.  Critics were mixed regarding his 2015 debut album Chaos and the Calm.  Personally, I was on board, for the most part.  In advance of his sophomore album, Bay releases promo single, “Wild Love.” It’s definitely wild.

From the start, clearly James Bay is ‘shaking things up.’ Following a relatively normal intro (not without hints of the modern), the vocals enter, incorporating vocal effects completely unexpected.  This is a stark contrast.  During the first verse, its particularly off-putting and surprising, as Bay sings relatively low-key. The use of the synth and eventually drum programming makes Bay sound pronouncedly less rock and more modern-pop oriented.

Lyrically, Bay gets his point across throughout the record.  On the first verse, excerpted above, he’s clearly got love on his mind.  He confirms this on the chorus, the best crowning achievement of “Wild Love.”

“I wanna give you wild love / The kind that never slows down / I wanna take you high up / Let our hearts be the only sound / I wanna go where the lights burn low and you’re only mine / I wanna give you wild love.”

The second verse is shorter than the first, but retains the same sentiment of the first – let down your guard and love.

Final Thoughts 

Hmm.  This one is tough.  The progression of James Bay is a selling point – there’s nothing wrong with ‘shaking things up.’ But, “Wild Love” is perhaps too much of a shake up or in the least, not perfectly executed.  It has some moments, particularly when Bay lets actually adds some punch and emotion vocally, but simply put, ‘it’s different.’ Not for me.

James Bay • Wild Love – Single • Republic • Release: 2.8.18

Photo Credit: Republic