Music
Album of the Week
Album of the Week: Lewis Capaldi
In depth on his debut smash, Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent.
If you don’t know who Lewis Capaldi is by now, where have you been?
The 22-year-old’s debut was already breaking records prior to its release, earlier becoming Apple’s most pre-ordered album in the UK.
Due partly to his bright, often hilarious personality and social savviness, Capaldi’s fan base has been growing at record speed.
The star, who’s already released three singles from Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent – album opener Grace, Someone You Loved and Hold Me While You Wait – has already sold out his biggest tour to date, kicking off in March 2020.
His writing style and mass appeal, both on and off the internet, have led to comparisons to fellow Scot Paolo Nutini, and other male pop icons like Ed Sheeran or newcomer Sam Fender.
The emotive piano-heavy ballads that fill the singer-songwriter’s highly anticipated first record offer a counterpoint to his outspoken online persona and penchant for blunt quips and social memes, but the songs are effortlessly pleasant in their tenderness. On his recent chart-topping single Someone You Loved he flutters through the verses before building into a howling chorus.
With much of the album following this winning formula, Don’t Get Me Wrong offers up a few jazz licks and Maybe provides a bit of breathing space from some of the weepier songs by venturing into folk-rock.
There are a few electric guitar tracks that step out of the ballad box too, including album closer Headspace, but it’s his catchy radio pop that dominates.
Capaldi powers through Fade, Lost on You and One, each showcasing his talents as a songwriter and his gravelly vocal delivery with plenty of powerful wails.
At the forefront, it’s easy to see why he’s already a multi-award winner and national treasure. Like his bed head and his self-depreciating humour, honesty and relatability are as welcome as his talent – which radiates out in spades. His knack for writing pop hits and flawless delivery of howling choruses are more than enough to tip the scale.
Lewis will spend the summer opening for the Stereophonics, The Killers and Ed Sheeran, as well as headlining a date at Scarborough Open Air Theatre. From November 2019, he will play academies, before embarking on his biggest tour yet across UK arenas in March 2020.
Any remaining tickets for Lewis Capaldi are available now through Ticketmaster.co.uk.
Tracklisting:
1. Grace
2. Bruises
3. Hold Me While You Wait
4. Someone You Loved
5. Maybe
6. Forever
7. One
8. Don’t Get Me Wrong
9. Hollywood
10. Lost on You
11. Fade
12. Headspace
Listen to Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent on Spotify:
