Acclaimed singer-songwriter David Gray is in an introspective mood, pondering life and all the complex matters that pertain to our existence. From the highs of love to the contemplation of mortality, his 13th studio album ‘Dear Life’ is a collection of 13 tracks that encompasses everything that has been in David’s sphere for several years.
Navigating between a myriad of emotional themes which includes pondering faith, science, acceptance, illusion and more, ‘Dear Life’ takes us on a journey and whilst some of the album is his most dense and intricate work to date, parts of it are pared back and beautiful, seemingly in contrast to some of the heavier subject material.
A successful and prolific songwriter, David has always held a unique artistic expression, but with ‘Dear Life’ this feels like an album that has been burning in his soul for some time now.
He has always been renowned for his smoky soulful vocals, shimmering guitars and his sublimely-crafted lyrics, and with this new album these elements can be found in abundance, but it feels like there’s an even deeper meaning than ever before. There’s a purity of artistic expression and the songs evoke a true sense of meaning and there’s an infinite power to them.
The album has been a long time coming, David originally started writing it in 2019 (the same year I had the pleasure of attending his Gold In A Brass Age tour, but due to the 2020 pandemic and then the re-scheduled 20th anniversary tour of Gray’s album ‘White Ladder’, ‘Dear Life’ took a backseat, but the time and clarity gave David the perspective he needed to complete the album which he calls an ‘personal artistic journey’
The extended gift of time garnered David what he called “a starburst of songwriting” where he created in the region of almost 30 new songs of which 13 were selected for ‘Dear Life’.
His most lyrical record to date, is effortlessly blend both intensity and fragility and is shrouded by light and space giving it a wholeheartedly expansive feel.
‘Dear Life’ contemplates ‘the beautiful thing that we all treasure’, the album’s title was taken from a book that David treasures by Alice Munro called ‘Dear Life’ and like the collection of short stories that inspired his body of work, the essence of life is captured superbly by David Gray. The title is used in the ambitious ‘Leave Talking’ where he wistfully talks of ‘holding on for dear life to what was never mine’.
The inevitably of death and mortality is beautifully delivered in the poignant ‘That Day Must Surely Come’. It is one of the most simple tracks on the album, but is also the most moving. It is hard hitting yet gives you a sense of acceptance at the same time. The track’s predecessor, the meditative ‘Sunlight on Water’ spirits you away to another world sees Gray contemplating his choices questioning how ‘how am I gonna put all the pieces back?’.
Richly poetic tracks like album opener ‘After the Harvest’ sets the tone of ‘Dear Life’ with its contemplative and textured sound. The soaring orchestral flourishes combined with David Gray’s sincere and effortless delivery of lyrics cement this as a future classic in his extensive back catalogue.
David’s enduring impact and influence can be found across a myriad of artists such as Ed Sheeran, Adele, Hozier and more. His songwriting has always been precise, assured and contemplative and can be found throughout the album especially on the poignant ‘Eyes Made Rain’.
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From ruminating about relationships and the resulting choices in ‘The First Stone’ which sees David be more experimental in his approach with the sonics as he asks why ‘you had to be the one to throw the first stone’ to contemplating our position in the universe with the hypnotic ‘The Only Ones’, David tackles every aspect of life and the journey it pulls us on.
Whilst parts of the album cover darker and more poignant subjects, ‘Dear Life’ has many bright moments thanks to the decadent melodies and pristine production values. It’s an album of contrasts – life and death, hope and despair, light and dark.
One of the standout tracks sees David duet with up and coming singer Talia Rae whose smoky vocals add even more substance to the song. The duo serve up a punchy duet on the fresh sounding electro-pop track ‘Plus & Minus’ which sees them duelling lines like ‘Always wanting something that it just can’t have / Turning love’s picture to the wall / Next moment there’s no turning back’.
As well as the collaboration with Talia, David’s daughter Florence also makes an appearance on backing vocals on several of the album’s tracks. Like her father, her vocals are crisp and warm and it’s touching to hear father and daughter working together on a magical project like this that paints the most vivid piece of art.
Meditative and mellow and full of melancholic balladry, ‘Dear Life’ is a love letter to life and all its intricacies. It dissects the moments and relationships that make up the human experience, ultimately leaving an imprint on our lives. David takes us on a fascinating journey exploring the human condition in the most captivating and meaningful way.
8/10
Words: Emma Harrison // @emmahwriter
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