Michael Bublé, Nobody But Me | Album Review 💿

Easy listening crooner Michael Bublé shows consistency on Nobody But Me, his seventh major label studio album.

Seven albums in, little has changed for Canadian jazz-pop artist Michael Bublé.  Nobody But Me serves as his latest offering, showcasing unflappable consistency.  Nobody But Me isn’t his best album nor will it rank as his most memorable, but it is another solid addition to a classy and enjoyable discography.

“I Believe in You”

“I Believe in You” opens Nobody But Me so-so.  It’s respectable enough, but comes off as “middle of the road.” Bublé has recorded many songs like this, but they are slightly more rousing. “My Kind of Girl” is a much stronger showing.  Though arguably it’s predictable, the jazz-pop musician is clearly in his wheelhouse on autopilot. The big band sounds superb and Bublé nails the tongue-n-cheek vibe of traditional pop flawlessly.

“Nobody But Me”

Speaking of tongue-n-cheek, promo single “Nobody But Me” is chocked full of it.  Bublé delivers another solid vocal performance. Soul and pop cues – horns and ostinato piano namely – enhance the personality of the record. Retro in sound, there’s a surprising swagger about it.  The rap verse by Black Thought shouldn’t work, but is effective.

“On an Evening in Roma (Sott’er Celo de Roma),” another pre-release single, is pleasant by all means.  As always, Bublé sings with incredible control, never breaking a sweat.  Pop-soul follow-up “Today is Yesterday’s Tomorrow” is much more enticing, restoring the oomph of “My Kind of Girl” and “Nobody But Me.” “Today is Yesterday’s Tomorrow” is empowering, built upon positive vibes.

“The Very Thought of You”

Bublé returns to the classics with standard “The Very Thought of You.” As always, he sings the gem exceptionally well.  Is this performance ‘the second coming’? No, but it is radiant and respectable through and through.  “I Wanna Be Around” opens epically with the big band setting the tone. Things settle down after the initial burst, but the energy level is perceptible throughout.

“Someday”

Sometimes, it is easy to prejudge pop duets.  “Someday,” featuring Meghan Trainor, is a perfect example. While it’s a bit on the fluffy side, it proves better than expected. Vocally, both perform soundly.

Penultimate cut “My Baby Just Cares for Me” lays well, finding Bublé excelling at being tongue-n-cheek.  He is a master at traditional pop stylistically.  The big band is exceptional, as is Bublé’s vocal tone. “God Only Knows” concludes Nobody But Me stunningly. Accompanied (mostly) by piano and strings, the focus is Bublé’s fantastic instrument.  

The deluxe edition of Nobody But Me adds three songs: “This Love of Mine,” an alternate version of “Nobody But Me” featuring trumpet, and “Take You Away.”  Considering the standard edition is brief at just 10 tracks, splurging on the deluxe isn’t the worst thing.

Final Thoughts

All in all, Nobody But Me is respectable.  This isn’t a project that will wow, but should play well to the Bublé base.  He sings strongly, with the majority of the songs playing to his strengths.  This album lacks the “next level,” which is arguably the singer’s “next steps” to further amplifying his artistry. 

Gems: “My Kind of Girl,” “Nobody But Me,” “Today is Yesterday’s Tomorrow” & “God Only Knows”

Michael Bublé • Nobody but Me • Reprise • Release: 10.21.16 

Photo Credit: Reprise