The Daily Spin, July 19
Shayfer James | Shipwreck
Welcome back to the Daily Spin, the series in which I review 365 albums during 2023.
Each album will be given a rating on a scale from 0 to 10. You can look at the entire set here. Additionally, you can check out a list of my favorite song from each album right here.
Album: Shipwreck (2023)
Artist: Shayfer James
Link:
This reminds me a lot of a Tom Odell figure, someone who excels in pared-down environments, sparse music that knows its lane, doesn’t stray from it, and does well with it. For music that feels distinct from it in many ways, the Timberlake-like vibe of ‘Devils & Rebels’ is surely welcome, and the Rag N Bone Man feel of ‘700 Days’ among other tracks hits pretty well.
Unfortunately, the wheels fall off, and when they go, they go hard. The first signs of slippage come for me with ‘First Date’, a song that feels very much like it’s being sung as James is walking through a haunted house or a Mario Party board. It’s odd vibes, and though it’s pulled back a little, that’s probably squandered with ‘A Surprising Conclusion’... and the three tracks that follow the aforementioned conclusion.
‘Built to Burn’ has some potential in the instrumental, but the vocals are Lin Manuel Mirandacore in the worst way. I cannot express how derogatory that description needs to be taken. ‘Ferryman’ makes the same mistake, featuring Will Wood (who I’ve been clear in my distaste for previously) - and a lot of those same issues are present. It all just feels deeply contrived, sort of like I’m waiting in the queue for the Haunted Mansion at Disney.
The album is called Shipwreck, but I didn’t expect to feel like I was getting the full wreckage and sinking experience throughout this adventure. Given how strong the start was, I’m disappointed.
Rating: 6.2/10
Best Tracks: Devils & Rebels; 700 Days
Worst Tracks: Built to Burn; Ferryman