Tom Grennan

Week 34: Tom Grennan- Everywhere I Went Led to Me to Where I Didn’t Want to Be

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Tom’s latest album is more than just songs to add to his growing repertoire; they are from his soul. “Everywhere I Went Led Me to Where I Didn’t Want to Be” sees him explore new sounds over fifteen tracks. He delves into his struggles with his self-belief and the confidence he has gained since those times.


Yes, Tom still has that pop-friendly sound we have associated with him since the debut record, but he isn’t afraid to flirt with a diverse range of sounds. Jazz features on ‘Certified’, disco on ‘Lonely Dancer’, and ‘Drama Queen’ with a touch of rock. This album offers a plethora of genres, characterised by frank lyricism and raw vocals.


On the surface, the record contains sing-along anthems and tracks you can dance to, but underneath you can see the vulnerability in the lyricism and of course his vocals. He discusses batting his demons over uplifting instrumentation, which represents his defiance against them.


Justin Tranter encourages Tom to use trumpets, arpeggiated piano, and, of course, find new harmonies within his vocals that captivate the listener as we go on a journey of his life.


’Somewhere Only We Go’ is a standout. The track has a blend of change and growth, sharing memories along the way. The steady tempo, drums, and a swelling guitar riff complement Tom’s vocals.


The tempo drops on tracks like ‘Cinnamon’, where he is more tender in his delivery. The track also welcomes the second half of the album. A departure from an energetic first half.


Another track similar to ‘Cinnamon’ is ‘I Won’t Miss a Thing. ‘ This emotional track is a piano ballad, where Tom can really let his emotions go, where he addresses life and even though those who have passed on still remain with us, albeit in spirit—a track where reflection is necessary.


Of course, you have tracks full of energy like recent singles ‘Full Attention’ and ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ that firmly fit into the rock category, and I will add ‘Full Attention’ to my song recommendations, but overall, the record is another feather in his cap. We have his vocals blending with the variety of instrumentals that show his ability to express power and tenderness where required. The sound may be on the whole uplifting and fast tempo, but as mentioned earlier, when you listen to the lyrics, you will hear a sadness in his soul, defiance, and maturity. My only complaint is that most of the songs are far too short. Just as you are getting into them, they are over; apart from that, the record displays every side of Tom.


Song recommendations: ’Somewhere Only We Go’, ‘I Won’t Miss a Thing’, ‘Full Attention’


7/10

Week 24: Tom Grennan- What ifs and Maybes

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Well, as you will recall, I had the pleasure of reviewing Tom’s previous album, “Evering Road”, which I enjoyed for his maturity and ability to show humility for all the things he had done wrong in past relationships. This time, he is back with “What ifs and Maybes”, which was tactically delayed to avoid a battle with Foo Fighters, and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds—then postponed another week to avoid a fight with Niall Horan. This week, despite the competition, it was easier for Tom to take the top spot with his 80s-inspired album that echoes that of Abel Tesfaye, Coldplay, and Ellie Goulding of late.

The record opens with ‘How Does it Feel’, one of the teasers. It is an uplifting 80s synth-pop track that makes you want to dance. The second track, ‘Remind Me,’ is quite peculiar. I believe it’s a song about Tom’s forgetting lyrics when performing. Has this happened at all during performances? Tom fans, let me know. Also, what is apologising for? Something has happened in his life? Or forgetting lyrics during a performance? Going by “Evering Road”, I’d say the former.

My only complaint with the record, including on the Apple Music Edition, is that most tracks need to be longer. You get going with the uplifting melody, cancelling the melancholic lyrics, and then the song ends. I am trying to remember any song being over five minutes. The longest is over four minutes.  Some might moan that melancholic lyrics over uplifting melodies don’t work, but it’s been done for centuries and is still being done. How anyone can take issue with it is a right miserable bastard who doesn’t understand that art is abstract. ‘Crown Your Love’ is one of the slower ballads where Tom brings melancholy lyrics with an optimistic delivery, and why not? Not every ballad has to have a vocal delivery that matches the nature of the lyrics. It is pretty refreshing. He also adopts this on ‘Here’. It was nice to hear Tom move on from “Evering Road” with a more uptempo album. I like his take on 80s synth-pop mixed with slow ballads and, of course, conscious lyrics.

If you listened to the Apple Music Edition, as I did, you will like the club banger ‘Lionheart(Fearless) featuring Joel Corry. I have heard it in a FIFA game or something. Anyway, it is uplifting club music. I gave the album 7/10 for the tracks being too short and that some sounded like they were put on the record to add more tracks. Some even sound like B-sides.

Song recommendations: ‘How Does it Feel’, ‘Lionheart(Fearless)’, ‘Crown Your Love’

7/10

Week 12: Tom Grennan- Evering Road

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What a turnaround in fortunes for Tom. Once, he had a budding football career that caught the attention of his local club, Luton Town, but he was let go at a young age. He then embarked on his next passion, singing, and his debut album, “Lighting Matches”, was very successful. Indeed, Tom’s song “Found What I’ve Been Looking For” became the official anthem for Sky Sports Super Sunday coverage and was featured on the FIFA 18 soundtrack. However, he had another final chance at football when Luton Town’s former manager Graeme Jones offered him a trial in August 2019, just as Luton Town was starting the campaign in the SkyBet Championship since 2008. He is still singing and has released his second tells me that it wasn’t a fruitful trial at the Brache training ground.

The second album is called “Evering Road”, named after a street in Newham, East London. It is also where Tom lived with an ex-girlfriend. Was that before he got fame or after? However, he grew up in London as well as Bedford. As Tom hit his mid-twenties, he changed it up with “Evering Road” and made this record about his break-up with his ex-girlfriend from Newham, with whom he spent three years. He candidly discusses his toxic behaviour and thanks her for helping him learn the errors of his ways in this audio letter of apology that spans over 14 tracks. The record reflects the volatile relationship rather than Tom passing blame or asking for sympathy for his diabolical attitude. Tom has laid this record out to perfection; it is laid out in the order a story of the events that took place would have happened. 

So, not only is this album an audio letter of apology, but it is also an autobiography. In other words, it is more like reading a book on this period of his life and, therefore, flows. Imagine when the live music world opens up again and hearing Tom perform these songs at Capital Radio Summerball 2022 at EE Stadium. Songs like “Little Bit of Love” are one of his singles, and they are very punchy pop that’ll get the crowd singing along. Then, you have “Something Better”, with its jumpy piano and soulful backing vocals, with the latter adding layers to the track, making it sound fuller.

In “Amen”, Tom has an almost gospel-like texture when discussing never going to church. Still, the Hozier-esque track is more about his struggles to make decisions that his heart is in rather than just making them without consideration. The song starts to lose its power towards the end, but then Tom turns it back on with his vocals and a message that’ll be open to interpretation by the listeners. When the tracks seem waning, Tom plays to his strengths to keep the listeners engrossed. “Oh Please” has a funk vibe, but the lyrics make the track stand out because Tom’s attitude has changed for the better. Rather than being angry and having a chip on his shoulder, he becomes more mature and shows humility.

Of course, you have an album that sounds familiar to the debut; Tom has drawn on many artists who inspired him this time, on many genres and producers. As we have discovered, “Evering Road” is an audio letter of apology, and that comes across with pinpoint accuracy on “Sweeter Then”, which is a reflection on the many beautiful summer days he spent with her, and “Make up My Mind”, which is about confessing that he didn’t know what he wanted from the relationship. Instead of being honest, he tried to fight on without knowing how he felt. However, my favourite might be somewhat of a cliché is “Let’s Go Home Together”, featuring Ella Henderson.

This song was co-written by Ella with James Arthur and performed live with the two writers in question, but for some reason (Let’s face it, it isn’t a bad choice.)Ella elected to do it in the studio and on Tom’s album. You can hear an acoustic guitar playing while Ella exchanges verses with Tom and then sings the chorus in unison while playing a gentle piano ballad. As much as the track is romantic, it is laced with cheeky lyrics and innuendos. What is odd about the song is that it is about a couple who have met in a bar/pub/nightclub and, upon exchanging a few words, find that they haven’t much in common, but once they are tipsy, they find each other quite attractive. Maybe this is how Tom felt about his ex, or he has discovered a new love interest in this manner.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed this track, and the cheekiness of it all was a lovely refrain from the usual heavy subject. It’ll be interesting to see where Tom goes from here because this is night and day compared to “Lighting Matches”. A more mature approach shows another side of him and for the better. He has addressed the issue and is learning what it is like to be an adult.

Song recommendations: “Let’s Go Home Together”, “Sweeter Then”, “Amen”

8/10