Trickles of piano introduce David Gray's stab to stand out from the plethora of pathetic, pale, male singer songwriters. Just as we had started drowning in the dross Gray has produced a track that avoids being clichéd and sounds as ebullient and creative as anything from his biggest selling album White Ladder.
The first new release since 2005's Life in Slow Motion, You Mean The World To Me, is upbeat and pretty catchy. The drumming is head-bop worthy and the strings get you swaying. There is a nice crescendo for the close, too. It should provide a pleasant surprise to fans of his work, a good thing too as his greatest hits collection is due for release in November.
His vocals haven't changed after all these years - they have the same clarity and yearning quality that made his name. However he sounds more contented and confident than ever before. The lyrics, meanwhile, reflect the brighter and heartfelt devotion of a man for his partner.
It's a very easy listen and feels more pop-oriented than folk. The autobiographical theme that has become his signature also works magic here, not as much of a trick but very effective nonetheless.
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