I AM DAVID LAING - WE, THEN ME // ALBUM REVIEW

Now this is an album I have been listening to since it was released back in May and what an album it is.  I have also had the pleasure of seeing him live as well and he does not disappoint both live and in the studio.  He has delivered an album that cuts deep in its raw emotion lyrically and musically.  Every song pulls you in and keeps you right in the centre.  The album echo's his signature style, that soft folk sound, with its story telling warmth.

The album kicks of with 'The First Time That We Met', a gentle track that sets the tone for the album, a song that reflects those feelings of when you first meet someone, lyrically and melodically this song captures that feeling perfectly, that longing for not wanting it to end and as the intensity builds within the song so do those feelings.  'Best Thing' is next and compared to what we have just listened to, this track brings a more up tempo sound, a hopefulness laces the song with a more driving rhythm, David sings with a feeling of optimism, that through out the song builds in a careful way and the instrumentation provides that shimmering sounds, the guitars bounce off each other in a way that brings sense of comfort a soft blanket and moves with his voice instead of overtaking.  

'Maybe Maybe' is more piano led, although it opens with the guitar, the piano soon becomes the focal point of this track, but doesn't deter you away from David's vocals, this track rolls and builds, with those harmonies that bring a depth and an even deeper emotion that completely captivates you.  The lyrics are powered with hope but underpinned with a feeling of uncertainty of the relationship, where on one hand you are ready, but there is still that feeling bubbling that you aren't quite there yet.  Those instrumental moments where the piano takes the lead is just magical.  'If You Want Me To' the piano at the beginning will instantly pull you in and for almost a minute of the song it is just David and the piano, a raw vulnerability that exudes those emotions where he is really looking inwards and he is inviting us into his world, as though he has dropped all his walls, the piano and guitar providing that backdrop.  The band come in as the song continues which opens up into a soaring section that in the moment lifts those intense feelings into a lighter soundscape. 

'We Lie' continues that piano lead, reminiscent of John Lennon as the piano leads us into what I can only describe as in the moment thoughts as David sits there and he is singing exactly what he is feeling and he is inviting you in.  Again the track builds with the full band coming in as the song continues, there are influences of jazz and rock coming through, still in keeping with his signature folk sound. 

'Something's Gone' is even more stripped back, in it's tone it quickly becomes that song that will stick with you long after it ends.  No drums in this track just David, the guitar, piano and backing vocals, the song keeps steady through out and David's voice in this one leave that lingering emotion, the heartbreaking realisation that looking back, you can't change what has happened and as the song flows that realisation comes to fruition,  pulling you with him and truly leaving his mark. 'Be There' a song that has a delicate hold on the listener, a pause, a feeling of hopefulness, as the piano moves with David and together creates such a deliberate softness, a warmth that burrows itself in.  

'The Time I fell In Love With You for Half a Day' this track brings an array of space, we are back with the full band, a more of an uplift in tonality, although the song leans in to that short spell romance, there is a feeling of hope and a positivity.  The instrumentation ricochets off every corner of the space within this track and the guitars shimmer and move in a way that you feel yourself bouncing along. 'We, Then Me' the title track, feels like a reflection, where David is looking back on the journey to where he is now, accepting that this is the path he is on, they may be on different paths but there is a hope that those roads might lead back to each other and if not then that's okay as well.  The guitars providing that rolling melody that gets right under your skin, very simple in the melody, but very memorable.  

'Had it All' brings a more bluesy country sound, the piano captures you instantly as the song moves in an almost cautious way, there is no rush, coming to the end of a chapter that although you are not ready to close, those moments of reflection shine through in David's soft vocals.  The subtlety of the instrumentation and those sliding guitars, leaning with a warmth, a song that like many in this album lingers with you long after the last note.  'to whom this may concern' the perfect track to end this song, David has taken us through a journey of vulnerability and raw emotion, he has truly put his whole self into this album and this final song strips it back to just him and the guitar, as though he has set this up with just one microphone, no multiple takes and capturing that in the moment take.  You hear everything in this song from the movements, to the changing finger patterns on the guitar, everything is left bare on this track, that full circle moment.  

Delicate and unfiltered, David has left no stone unturned with this album, the emotional journey that he has been on within this, comes through every crack, every pause and every sound of each track, he has poured his soul into this project and that in itself will resonate deeply with anyone who listens. 

                                            Picture: onebigpictureguy

You can listen to the album in its entirety below: