Following over seventeen years in the spotlight, subsequential to the success of his debut album Kings and Queens, Jamie still has fresh ideas to bring to life, looking back at years lived and wondering what’s to come. No matter his age, Jamie’s music encompasses his roots, keeping its unique and distinguished style.
The first track on the album titled '3310' does a great job of setting the tone for the next 40 or so minutes. Always keen to keep his lyrics grounded in a sense of realism, Jamie likens the figure he wishes to be in relationships to the reliability of a Nokia 3310, proposing the idea that he may not be the perfect suitor, but can be counted on when needed. The line "Mostly I think I know my place" reinstates the notion that he knows where he stands in terms of his relationships, perfectly introducing the introspective tone of the album.
The following track 'Cocktail' ups the tempo while maintaining the depth in lyrical meaning. Titularly, it inkeeps with the same theme of alcohol that is constant throughout this album and much of Jamie’s prior work, detailing a struggle that is rife within Jamie’s working-class background and aims apologies at those from his past. Similar to the opening couple of songs, later tracks 'The Won' and 'Tallahassee' reflect on where Jamie feels he is and where he’s been. The latter feels like a nod to the work of The Streets as Jamie narrates over the beat, 'Chelsea Girls' displaying a change of vibe that provides a quietly hilarious social commentary of materialism while also imitating this style.
...a matured, now scathing, third-person perspective of the shenanigans that Jamie details in earlier albums, providing a criticism of lad culture.
'Waist 36 Leg 32' feels like a matured, now scathing, third-person perspective of the shenanigans that Jamie details in earlier albums, providing a criticism of lad culture. Titular track 'Ghosts' similarly displays this growth, for he speaks about our reputations and the ghosts that follow them. Albeit a gloomy image, Jamie takes it and creates a positive spin on it, encouraging his listeners to tackle this and make the most of life.
A key part of the album’s reflective nature is Jamie’s perspective on his relationships. Revisiting the theme introduced in the opening track, songs 'All I Wanna See is Now', 'Crimson and Clover' and 'Caught Cheating' provide respective commentaries on the aspects of modern relationships. Themes of commitment, trust and co-dependency run throughout the album and most notably in these tracks. This album feels as though Jamie is truly coming of age and beginning to understand nuances of life that once puzzled him, especially when it comes to his relationships.
'Crucible', perhaps the most standalone track on the album, highlights family pride and the warmth of a loving household. This song feels like a huge thank you, intended to all those who helped to shape Jamie into the success that he became.
...the album allows listeners to see Jamie’s life through his eyes in a depth that we hadn’t previously been treated to.
Overall, the album allows listeners to see Jamie’s life through his eyes in a depth that we hadn’t previously been treated to. The album has a warm, familiar feeling of nostalgia flowing through it, encouraging us to admire our own story, through the guiding lyrics of a UK legend.