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Written by Andre Grant

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Mr. Hudson's debut solo album “ Straight no Chaser” is that particular kind of British pop panache that we Americans will never really get over.

There is something sobering about the album which behind his expertly laid production weaves layer after layer of voice and pop melody to calm us and perhaps invites us to sit down. His voice is school boyish and 'whispery' soft, just enough so, to cover the stark minimalism of the beats with guest appearances by over seas producers Dave McKracken and The Bullitts. Quite frankly, I like this sort of music.

It's many times more pop than his last album but as he's put his band “The Library” on the back burner and teamed up with Kanye (who sought him out after hearing that album) its more like a growing up than a selling out. What continues to shine through is his lyrical content. Its incandescent. Like an overcast day in November he croons on  “Stiff Upper Lip” “Oh, now I’m walking back to our place/Which is soon to be your place/Watching my feet, they’re as stubborn as concrete/I’m knee deep in the jumble of our lives”. When it comes to heartbreak and the kind of loss where you feel as though whatever is happening will leave a scar that you'll never be able to hide Mr. Hudson shines through.

Its a world weary sort of sound. Like on “Anyone but him” where he jealously carries on “ Anyone but him/ I'd rather hear you'd had the whole football team/ than have to watch his filthy lips on your skin/ Anyone but him.... Anyone but him/ my blood boils as my eyes turn green/Is this the best of the best of the scene?” The problem is that its not quite enough. The beats feel antsy sometimes although they've no where to go and there isn't really a masterpiece on the album. There is nothing so sad it makes you replay it a thousand times or so poppy and catchy it deserves one of those radio blitzes normally reserved for the Rihannas and * ahem * Kanye Wests of the world. Although his mark is all over this album he only helped produce one track, the hit single “Supernova”.

I'm not upset at this but I wish he could've helped Mr. Hudson transfer some of the magic that I felt from his last one “Mr. Hudson and the Library”. Despair is a particular kind of bag and no one does despair like the brits. At times comical in its anguish and at times truly moving it still lacks the two or three more single worthy songs it needs to go from good to very often good.

3.5/5