Higher Than Here

Having spent the last four years away from the limelight, James Morrison makes a welcome return with his fourth studio album 'Higher Than Here,' out through Island Records.

The songs on the new album create a subtle balance between revealing the pain and difficulties that Morrison has experienced in his recent personal life, and the soundtrack to those lazy Sunday mornings that will make you dance, smile and reflect.

Album opener and lead single "Demons" sets the scene; The rousing track, written about resisting the little voices in your head trying to take you down, has Morrison's signature soulful vocal over a high pitched loop that altogether makes for a rich, uplifting and contemporary sound.

Elsewhere, further standout songs include ballads, "Stay Like This" and "Too Late For Lullabies," which are reminiscent of Morrison's much loved sound but with a touch of American gospel. Beyond the more familiar are tracks like "I Need You Tonight," easily the most unexpected track on the album; it's big, ballsy and potentially his first dance floor smash.

When James broke onto the scene as a soulful singer-songwriter in 2006, even he couldn't have predicted that he would become the template that allowed a wave of like-minded musicians to enter the field. He was also famously told by the veteran soul producer Jerry Wexler that his raspy, gravelly voice, the product of a childhood illness, had its "own thumbprint" and was so distinctive that "once heard, never forgotten." Now, almost a decade on, Ed Sheeran, George Ezra and James Bay are all ruling the charts following the same format; one guy with just a guitar and an incredible voice.