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Life By Misadventure is a partial misfire from Rag'n'Bone Man

"Life By Misadventure"

Release date: 07 May 2021
6/10
Rnbmlife
07 May 2021, 11:17 Written by Narzra Ahmed
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Life By Misadventure follows Rag’n’Bone Man’s 2017 debut Humans, which was the fastest-selling debut album by a male artist of the decade. It’s common knowledge that Rag’n’Bone Man is armed with impressive signature vocals and, with this sophomore album, Rag’n’Bone Man - aka crooner Rory Graham - continues to deliver these stunning vocals effortlessly.

Opener “Fireflies” is soothing, authentic and heartfelt, while “Breath in Me” sees a heartbroken Graham sing "I will live or die happily / Just to know you’re free”. “Fall In Love Again” is a deeply personal song regarding being afraid to fall in love again, yet retains an upbeat focus even with punch-in-the-gut lyrics: “I will make some poor excuses / Every time that I get close to you”.

“Talking To Myself” enters full power ballad territory and we hear those brilliant, powerful vocals again. “I need something / I need someone,” he yearns, passion robustly rounding off the sentiment.

Duetting with P!nk on “Anywhere Away From Here”, it doesn't take long for the heartstrings to be tugged, with a warning that it and may even conjure a few tears. Given they're two vocal powerhouses, they complement each other in a perfectly unique capacity, particularly when lamenting about feeling alone in such a relatable way (“When the lights go up / I don’t think I told you / That I feel out of place”).

Previous single, and the first to be taken from the album, “All You Ever Wanted” takes a step away from the ballads. More uplifting than a usual offering from Rag'n'Bone Man, it focuses on a driving rock ‘n’ roll sound, proving this pony has more than just one trick in its arsenal.

But it's here Life By Misadventure loses its way. Creeping into forgettable territory, it’s genuinely confusing since the first half of the album holds itself together so well. It could be chalked up to pressures to follow previous successes, but the second half passes with little to no note, leaving a yearning for perhaps a bit more adventure in the future.

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