Photo credit: Phil Smithies
Written by: Madeline Slack
After listening to his latest album, I suddenly understand why George Ezra is asked about his love life in every single interview. He has the perfect baritone voice, with a British accent, to match his youthful, brooding air. His music reflects a tone of nostalgia that is soothing but inspires a sense of longing. Match all this to his youth and this star is the total package.
Erza hails from Hertfordshire but now lives in Bristol, UK. Now 23, he rose to fame with the release of his hit “Budapest” and, if you haven’t heard it, get on youtube…now. His latest album, Staying at Tamara’s, released March 23, 2018, is more than up to par with the iconic sound Ezra has established for himself.
The album blends the past and the present with Ezra’s unique style. The songs and the few released music videos have a 70s feel and a distinctive longing for the past but also a craving for the future and the life two people can build together. The instruments behind Ezra’s voice tend to trickle in a soft but enchanting base melody. The delicacy of this accompaniment gets contrast through Ezra’s resonance, singing both with the music and against it in service of the lyrics. In short, this guy is the real deal. He knows his music, as someone who studied at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute (BIMMI) should, and he writes his songs not to be loud with a thumping bass but with a purpose to accentuate beautiful lyrics. Staying at Tamara’s is a feel good album you will want to listen to again and again.
