Album Review: Rag'n'Bone Man - Human

There's a fair bit of hype surrounding Rag'n'Bone Man (aka Rory Graham), and after listening to the tracks that make up his debut album Human, it's easy to see why.

The British singer-songwriter's raw, gravelly vocals are undoubtedly what draws in his listeners. For the most part they cut through or soar over the instrumentals, but on a cappella track Die Easy every breath, rasp and inflection is audible and captivating.

The influence that blues music and singers like BB King, Muddy Waters, Al Green and John Lee Hooker have had on Graham is blatantly apparent, though with the combination of his soulful voice, a stack of biblical imagery and the occasional use of an organ (Skin, The Fire), the album also has a bit of a gospel feel to it. The already hugely successful title track is somewhat reminiscent of Hozier's Take Me To Church, with Graham growling "Lord heaven's above" and claiming "I'm no prophet or Messiah". As a former MC, he's also incorporated some hip hop elements into Human with a rap verse on Ego and classic hip hop beats on As You Are and Your Way Or The Rope. Themes of love and pain are explored through emotive, meaningful and catchy (even if sometimes repetitive) lyrics on powerful ballad Love You Any Less, the more uptempo Arrow and Fade To Nothing.

Human has a sense of polish and refinement that doesn't usually come with a debut, but is a promising sign of more greatness to come.