I liked James Bay’s debut album Chaos And The Calm, but the up-tempo songs in particular. Craving, for instance, and especially Best Fake Smile. Alas, the record company decided to market him as a balladeer and only released Craving digitally in an acoustic version (sigh). Best Fake Smile was put out as his 6^th single (a minor success, obviously).

At the beginning of February, James Bay made a comeback. Without the long hairs and without the hat. And without a hit, so far. The ballad Wild Love had a new sound, but apparently didn’t win him any new fans. I like Pink Lemonade a whole lot better. His best single to date, I dare to say. It’s the second effort off his second album Electric Light, to be released on 18 May. A great song, that I’d love to hear in a version mastered by someone who doesn’t like to fight the loudness war (which makes songs sound hard on the radio, but tough on the ears as well).

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Werner Schlosser

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.