Lewis Capaldi, Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent | Album Review 💿

Scottish artist Lewis Capaldi flaunts expressive, powerful vocals throughout his debut LP, Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent.

Sometimes, a music critic gets bogged down. When a music critic gets bogged down, certain albums get skipped.  For me, I committed a horrid offense in May 2019 – I failed to review Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent.  Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent is the debut album by Scottish musician Lewis Capaldi, who sings like an angel. While the album features a number of memorable songs, including the likes of “Fade” and of course, “Someone You Loved,” the biggest selling point is the incredibly distinct and gifted Capaldi himself.

“Grace” 

✓ “Grace” kicks off Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent powerfully, showcasing Capaldi’s marvelous voice.  On the verses, he flaunts his magnificent tone, never growing too riled up. Beginning on the pre-chorus, he debuts his upper register, while he lets loose on the simple but moving chorus: “Your grace / Your grace / Your grace / Don’t take it away.” What stands out about the chorus is the sheer beauty of the melody, which, to reiterate, is delivered powerfully.

✓ “Bruises,” released long before the arrival of the album as a single, also showcases the sheer power and punch that Capaldi packs vocally. As awe-inspiring as he sounds digging in, Capaldi also delivers kinder, gentler passages with remarkable control and tenderness. Shifting to the songwriting, the Scottish musician has a familiar, relatable topic to work with: matters of the heart.

“There must be something in the water
‘Cause every day, it’s getting colder
And if only I could hold you
You’d keep my head from going under.”

“Hold Me While You Wait”  

Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent continues in all its glory with another certified bop, ✓ “Hold Me While You Wait.”  Like the two previous songs, Capaldi’s ‘bread is buttered’ on the epic chorus where he can flaunt the expressiveness of his instrument.  Additionally, there’s a knack for catchy, memorable refrains throughout his debut LP, and “Hold Me While You Wait” is no exception to the trend.

“Hold me while you wait
I wish that I was good enough (Hold me while you wait)
If only I could wake you up (Hold me while you wait)
My love, my love, my love, my love
Won’t you stay a while? (Hold me while you wait).”

✓  🤩 “Someone You Loved” is indisputably Lewis Capaldi’s mainstream breakthrough.  The former number one is a gorgeous, piano ballad that places emphasis on – you guessed it – Capaldi’s prodigious vocals.  Perhaps this review sounds like a broken record, but Capaldi possesses a ‘once in a generation’ voice that has a hypnotic, mesmerizing quality.  Additionally, “Someone You Loved” is simply a well-written song.  “I’m going under, and this time, I fear there’s no one to save me,” he sings on the first verse, later adding, “I need somebody to heal, somebody to know / Somebody to have, somebody to hold.”  As compelling as the verse lyrics are, the chorus, once more, marks the most memorable and elite moment of this Grammy-nominated gem.

“Maybe”

After a strong opening quartet, things must cool off on Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent, right? Not really honestly. Just ‘maybe’ “Maybe” doesn’t supplant “Someone You Loved,” but it definitely doesn’t stifle the momentum. The intense pre-chorus, intact with f-bomb would be enough to maintain the energy.  Lewis Capaldi has quite the knack for vocal grit, which shines on the fifth track of the album.

“Forever” continues the pleasant listening experience, with a blend of tasteful falsetto and of course, the full-fledged, explosive, gritty, heaven-sent vocals.  Like most of the songs that precede it, the melody is quite tuneful.  Follow-up “One” is yet another sound ballad that checks off all boxes.  Included in those checked off boxes is another award-worthy chorus:

“I wish I could say
‘Thank you for all the mistakes
Thank you for all of the pain’
I guess somebody else’s loss is another’s gain
I’m sayin’ thank you to the one who let her get away
Away.”

“Don’t Get Me Wrong”

Of course, it’s no shock that ballads continue to dominate Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent.  Lewis Capaldi is built for ballads.  He’s definitely ripe on ✓ “Don’t Get Me Wrong,” which is more of a soulful pop record.  The formula is essentially similar to everything else on the LP, but the lilting compound meter and use of electric keyboard brings a contrasting sound.  This is refreshing eight songs in.

“You know I spent some time in Hollywood tryna find / Somethin’ to get the thought of you and I off my mind…” On “Hollywood,” Capaldi misses that special someone in his life, while being in L.A. Of course, Capaldi wouldn’t feel ‘at home’ in Hollywood – he’s from Scotland. Naturally he misses home in general, asserting, “All the streetlights illuminate what home used to feel like / And when I get to thinkin’, can’t sleep at night / No I don’t feel right.” On the pre-chorus, he references love, singing, “‘Cause love can find a way to make your heart run heavy.” Capaldi doesn’t give a damning portrait of Hollywood, but does highlight two beloved things – a girlfriend and his hometown – aren’t there.

“Lost on You”

“Every day, I’m a slave to the heartache / And you’re wasting away every night / I don’t wanna leave you lonely / But I’ve run out of love this time.” Ah, matters of the heart continue to fuel Lewis Capaldi’s fire. After picking up the pace more on “Hollywood,” the BPMs decrease once more on “Lost on You,” another expressive and incredibly sweet ballad.  The expressive nature of the performance – awesome.

✓ “Fade” opens with moody piano serving as the accompaniment.  There’s a mysterious vibe, made even more enigmatic once Capaldi begins singing the verse. After maintaining incredible poise, on the chorus, he lets loose, much like he has throughout Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent.  Vocally, he’s a beast, and it’s easy to become envious of his tone. As “Fade” progresses, the production naturally fills out.  The short second verse gets a thudding kick and more assertive vocals.  On the choruses, save for one, Capaldi is all in.  He gets support from backing vocals and as aforementioned, eventually, the whole production shebang.  The best moment arrives on the final chorus:

“…Guess I’m such a fucking fool for the way that you caught me
Girl, you make my heart break more every day.”

Ultimately, he shines like a beacon on “Fade.” “Headspace,” the final cut on the standard edition of Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent, definitely has a tough act to follow.  Even so, in the hands of Lewis, ‘it’s all good.’

Deluxe / “Before You Go”

The deluxe edition of Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent adds three additional songs.  The crown jewel is ✓ “Before You Go.”  “Before You Go” references a difficult subject: suicide.  The lyrics are poetic and reflective throughout.  Of course, the chorus is the crème de la crème:

“So, before you go
Was there something I could’ve said,
To make your heart beat better?
If only I’d have known you had a storm to weather
So, before you go
Was there something I could’ve said,
To make it all stop hurting?
It kills me how your mind can make you feel so worthless
So, before you go.” 

Capaldi wishes he could’ve prevented the devastating event, a feeling that many people feel when someone they know and loved commits suicide.  “Leaving My Love Behind” and “Let it Roll” don’t top “Before You Go,” but adds more consistent songs to the Scottish musician’s collection.

Final Thoughts

Silly me didn’t review Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent when it was originally released.  Luckily, with the growing popularity of “Someone You Loved” and the release of the deluxe edition of the album, I came to my senses.  All in all, Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent is an enjoyable, well-rounded album by Lewis Capaldi.  It is ballad heavy, but Capaldi makes the ballads compelling thanks to his colorful vocals.  Safe to say, the man is truly blessed.  If you made the mistake and haven’t partaken of Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent, you’re totally missing out.

✓ Gems: “Grace,” “Bruises,” “Hold Me While You Wait,”  🤩 “Someone You Loved,” “Don’t Get Me Wrong,” “Fade” & “Before You Go”

Lewis Capaldi • Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent (Extended Edition) • Universal Music • Release: 5.17.19

Photo Credit: Universal Music