Rag’n’Bone Man – Human album review: ardent rap and sweet-spot blues in a showstopping voice

While rightly tipped as one of the new music acts to keep a beady eye on this year, there’s no sign of an overnight sensation tag hanging around Rory Graham’s neck. In his early 30s, this East Sussex singer and songwriter has been on the go for more than 15 years, inspired ever so slightly by Steptoe and Son (hence the moniker), and not so lightly by hip-hop – specifically the UK’s underground open-mic scene in his adopted hometown of Brighton.

Indeed, it is only since 2013 that Graham has been able to focus on his music full time (he formerly worked as a carer for people with Down and Asperger syndromes), but since then he hasn’t stopped making a very distinctive mark.

Following on from 2014's EP Wolves, and 2015's EP Disfigured, Graham releases his debut album, which takes the title of last year's impressive hit single that fractured huge holes in charts all across Europe. That level of commercial success looks set to continue, because – like the single – the album is stuffed to the gills with the kind of authentic, retro-growl blues/R&B-based music that gets muscles flexing and pulses rising.

Like every blues person worth their salt, Rory Graham has a story to tell; therefore, unlike much younger people playing the retro-blues/R&B game, a wealth of bruised and battled encounters unfold across slow burning and quick-fire songs such as Bitter End (breakbeats and broken hearts), Love you any Less (teary ballad alert), title track (such a roof-raiser you'll need to check for cracks in your ceiling after every play) and Skin (so gospel-oriented it'll take you to church in jig time).

Moving away somewhat from the less commercial hip-hop/R&B edges of his two EPs (songs from which appear here, including Bitter End and Life in her Yet), Human occasionally veers into smooth formula territory, but for the most part is a collection of ardent rap, sweet-spot blues/soul songs delivered in an experienced showstopper of a voice.

[ ragnbonemanmusic.com ]