Now that we are making our way to the cold winter months, I feel as though it is my responsibility to bring our attention to James Bay and his debut album “Chaos and the Calm”. Now, you’re probably asking yourselves “what does James Bay have to do with the winter?” The true answer is nothing. He has nothing to do with winter. But when music is written and produced the right way, it will make you feel some type of way. The best way to explain how James Bay’s 'Chaos and the Calm' makes one feel is this: like drinking a hot cup of coffee, cuddled up in warm sheets and comfortable clothes, on a cold winters day. I know a lot of people can understand this feeling. I also know a lot of people love this feeling. And if you are one of those people, I highly recommend you give this album a listen.

I have tried my best to narrow it down to a few top reasons why “Chaos and the Calm” is such a high-quality album.

It’s relatable.

James does an amazing job at addressing internal struggles that everyone faces at some point in their life. Two of his songs in particular, “Craving” and “Get Out While You Can” address the fact that everyone struggles throughout some point in their life. “Craving” addresses the fact that as you grow up, your desires will vary and things will change. But that is OK. “Get Out While You Can” focuses more on the idea that you have to live your life. Within this specific song, James motivates his audience to, for lack of better terms, get out while you can and do what you want to do while you have the chance.

The style varies.

There is a perfect amount of slow songs and jam songs throughout this album and who doesn’t love a good jam and cry session?!

The DELUXE EDITION.

As high quality as “Chaos and the Calm” is with just 12 songs, James decided to be a GEM and release a Deluxe Edition of the album. The Deluxe Edition includes versions of 3 of the songs that were on his first EP (“Move Together”, “Need The Sun To Break”, “When We Were On Fire”) and 7 extra songs from other previous EP’s.

James’ VOICE.

Pure talent, my friends. Pure talent. Like I said, his voice feels like a hot cup of coffee on a cold winters day. I have never heard anything so calming and smooth before in my life.

The Build-ups.

My personal definition of a “build-up” is when it starts off slower than it ends. Yes. I know what you’re probably thinking: “Crisp... all songs start slower than they end.” Which, for the most part, is correct. But some are more dramatic and some are meant to be built up. Within a few of the songs on this album James builds up the music and his vocal strength, leaving you feeling breathless and in awe. (“Scars”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, “Hold Back The River”)

“Chaos and the Calm”, being James’ first album, makes me excited to see what else he has up his sleeve. Although I am convinced that if James were to never release another album I could definitely be satisfied with “Chaos and the Calm” for the rest of my life, I am very excited for all the talent-filled music he will release (hopefully soon) in the future.