VINCE FREEMAN - ALBUM REVIEW

Vince Freeman - Scars, Ghosts & Glory 

Release Date: 14th June 2024

Vince Freeman could so easily have been chewed up and spat out by the music industry by now following flirtations with TV talent shows and rubbing shoulders with future super stars in the early stages of their career. Instead, however, taken control of his own destiny with this new album and a tour of his own so listen up and listen good. 'Scars, Ghosts & Glory' gets underway with the soulful 'Powers' which lazily strums through a low ebb before bursting to life in the chorus with sense of resolution and determination. 'Devils' follows with a Samuel Jack meets James Morrison vibe before 'Passing By' sits down at the piano for a confessional song full of observations and storytelling. 

There's a kick-up in energy on 'Blame Myself' which finds Freeman operating in a space that feels like Rag'n'Bone Man with horns, soulful vocals and a dark-pop vibe. Similarly, 'Dancing In The Rain' feels emotionally raw and desperate but bolstered by big, radio-ready melodies and, yet again, that voice. 'Imposter' takes inspiration from the stadium sized songs of the Killers while 'Stardust' is a tender love song tailor made for wedding first dances and 'Won't Remember Heaven' is an impassioned soft-rock track with a guitar sound to die for. 

Freeman really lets his soul and Motown inspiration shine through on 'Sun Is Shining' with it's guitar stabs and slathered organs transporting you to a Detroit church on a cold and unassuming Tuesday afternoon. 'Real Love' builds beautifully in to one of those life-affirming tunes that you'll turn to in your darkest hours while 'Oh What A Life' carries that energy on to a new, higher level like an Olympian carrying the torch on through the night. The album closes out on 'Freedom', an Ed Sheeran-esque power ballad that starts with a soft acoustic strum but soon emerges in to something altogether more polished. On this evidence, Vince Freeman can sing, can write and can turn his hand to more than one style or emotion which should not be taken for granted. A real talent and one who isn't finished with the world of music yet so you'd better get used to him being around. 

More information: https://www.facebook.com/vincefreemanofficial/

Live Dates:

7th April - Annabels, Plymouth

8th April - Cavern, Exeter

10th April - Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham

11th April - 33 Oldham Street, Manchester

12th April - Think Tank, Newcastle

14th April - King Tuts, Glasgow

15th April - Yellow Arch Studios, Sheffield

16th April - Camden Club, London

27th April - Parabola Arts Centre, Cheltenham