Chaos and the Calm
| James Bay
Chaos and the Calm
Chaos and the Calm is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter James Bay. It was released on 23 March 2015 by Republic Records and produced by Jacquire King. - Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
Show All-
Clash
This is an album of genuine intent, full of poignant reflections on romance, hope, fear, the past, the present, and the future.
-
The Guardian
Bay’s relatable pop-rock holds broad appeal for those, like him, who are figuring out the paths their lives may take.
-
Telegraph
James Bay's album is so formulaic it could have been generated by a computer programme.
-
Line of Best Fit
There’s nothing wrong with being radio-friendly, but sadly Chaos and the Calm lacks the edge, emotion, and most certainly the chaos to be anything more.
-
Sputnik Music
The thought of James Bay's record Chaos and The Calm will at first make you think that you're listening to the next best thing. You will then realize that you might as well be listening to anything.
-
Diffuser
While it's a good album, it would have been great to see the experimentation and risks that he takes with covers; he's clearly got the skill to do it, but maybe he's saving that for his sophomore effort. We'll just have to wait and see.
-
The Upcoming
The collection is festival-ready, mum-friendly, would comfortably fit in on both youth-oriented Radio.
-
MusicOMH
There is no getting away from the nagging sense that it is all a bit too safe and predictable.
-
Pop Matters
The pieces are just too good to resist – Bay has plenty to offer.
-
At Wood Magazine
Loud as Chaos and The Calm’s entrance is, its exit is quiet, soft, and though the song’s title may beg to differ, conclusive.
-
Odyssey
Simple with just enough flair.
-
PPCorn
The next big thing is here and his name is James Bay.
-
steemit
Certainly an album worthy of being heard.
-
All Music
He has the style and the ability to stand on his own, and it's the work of a new performer with an impressive potential.
-
House in the Sand
We've got a genius here, people.
-
Tuned Up
One can hope that future studio efforts won’t be as lackluster.
-
Thank Folk For That
The album is not horrible, it’s just not great either.
-
Digital Spy
Bay emerged as the latest chosen one to mirror the success of Sam Smith and Adele.
-
Acoustic Magazine
There are two sides to James Bay: the solo troubadour and the rock outfit frontman.
-
Source Magazine
Chaos And The Calm proves that James Bay is here to stay and make his mark in the music world.
-
Muso Muso
Still at the very beginning of his career one can but wonder what treasures are yet to come!
-
Hit The Floor
Dare we say it, Chaos and the Calm might just be one of this year’s best album releases so far.
-
Kettle Magazine
Based on this album, expect great things from James Bay in the future.
-
Renowned for Sound
His sincere intentions, however, don’t quite live up to the 24-year-old’s recognisable potential.
-
Fortitude Magazine
An album positive to live up to and well beyond its hype and expectations.
-
Rock n Reviews
Finally a first album that we can listen to without displeasure, with various styles and influences.
-
The Student Playlist
However, it’s so devoid of creativity and heart that it should probably have just been called The Calm.
-
Laut
England is back on fire again. The reason: James Bay.
-
Album Confessions
Bay does not falter on his debut and one will never understand why the effort has received many mediocre reviews. It's brilliant work.
-
The Life of a Thinker
With it fusing fast-paced and powerful soul with mellow, laid-back tracks, the album definitely fits this contrasting idea of chaos and calm.
-
Spice UK
His rusty, soulful voice adds an incredible honesty and sentiment behind the lyrics, and you really do feel the story he is so expertly narrating you.
-
Brent Music Reviews
All in all, Chaos And The Calm is nothing short of terrific.
-
The Indie Sound
It has some good songs, I enjoyed all of them and there were a few that stood out, but overall it was just ok. Bland.
-
The Girls at the Rock Show
With tantalizing soulful vocals and lyrics that send arrows straight to the heart, James Bay could win anyone over.
-
Qmunicate
There’s something admirable about such a grand failure.
-
The Courier
Chaos and The Calm is undoubtedly musical genius, but more importantly, it is refreshingly genuine.
-
South West Pulse
Chaos and the Calm spares us of another modern slab of indie broken heart ballads at least – and that’s a big relief.
-
Pop Culture Daily
It’s a solid effort that shows what Bay can do, which is sing.
-
KUBE
Overall, Chaos and the Calm is an underwhelming debut for an artist who was the centre of a lot of hype.
-
Songbird
This is an album of genuine intent, full of poignant reflections on romance, hope, fear, the past, the present, and the future.
-
There Goes The Fear
‘Chaos and the Calm’ is, despite its title, refreshingly sincere and straightforward.
-
Digital Journal
It is utterly fantastic.
-
It's Emma Jane
Chaos and the Calm is such a fitting album name for the simple fact; the lyrics are honest and almost confession-like and they perfectly depict the chaos and calm in ones life.
-
The Gizzle Review
He’s the annoying guy at a music festival who insists on wearing a hipster hat, refuses to wash his hair for weeks and sings tired love songs around a campfire at 5am whilst you’re trying to sleep after coming down from the euphoric highs of the dance stage.
-
The Ithican
His musical compositions are quite impressive, and they are stunning in their simple production.
-
Being Ashleigh
The whole album is just pure gold and I haven't stopped listening to it since I got it.
-
Great Vibes
Thanks to his youthly matureness, we got quality and overcame one more prejudice.
-
Speaker TV
The general theme of the album is grounded in the relationships around oneself, and within oneself, thus when the emotional connection is lost, the track becomes void in character.
-
4E Voices
Bay has a lot of talent and shows an authentic side that the industry is craving.
-
Times of India
Bay’s debut record is more calm than chaos.
-
The Maroon Cafe
Laugh, dance, cry, this album has the triggers for it all.
-
Tattered Scale
Prepare to be amazed.
-
The Irish Times
It’s not bad, really – just terribly, unremittingly ordinary.
-
Prism
James Bay effortlessly highlights his soulful Indie-Pop vibes throughout the entire album but still finds a way to sneak in his mellow yet passionate lyrics.
Rate This Album and Leave Your Comments