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Lewis Capaldi review, Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent: Debut album proves Scottish singer’s songwriting chops

22-year-old’s debut might be uninspired, but what it lacks in originality it makes up for in talent

Roisin O'Connor
Music Correspondent
Thursday 16 May 2019 13:14 BST
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Lewis Capaldi is a sensation. The UK hasn’t witnessed a new artist rocket into the public consciousness so quickly since Adele. And the best part is, he’s got the music to back it up.

The Scottish singer-songwriter’s debut album, the wonderfully titled Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent, arrives at pretty much the perfect time. The wave of his hit single “Someone You Loved”, which spent seven weeks at the top of the UK singles chart, has just about crested, but this record proves he has plenty more where that came from.

Capaldi’s voice – a gravelly powerhouse that manages to evoke the 22-year-old’s natural charisma even on the weepiest of ballads – is key here, but he has songwriting chops as well.

Where other pop stars – Ed Sheeran and Anne-Marie among them – try to appeal to their audience with generation-specific nostalgia, Capaldi entrusts them with the nuance of a song like “Maybe”. It’s loaded with the uncertainty and disillusionment that comes with youth, but comes with additional gravitas – something he shares with fellow Scot Paolo Nutini, though the frequent comparisons tend to focus on their similar voices.

The album alternates between piano and guitar-based tracks, with production that retains raw moments from the studio in order to keep Capaldi’s personality on record. “Don’t Get Me Wrong” is a standout thanks to its swaying, romantic rhythm. “Lost on You” is essentially his (from the sounds of it untouched) vocals and simple piano chords – far more effective than if it were overloaded with a dramatic orchestra. The same approach is used on closer “Headspace”, where Capaldi saves his best vocal performance for last. The song is proof that he understands when to hold back, and when to go full-throttle.

It’s not the most adventurous album, sure, but Divinely Uninspired is more about unveiling the rough materials Capaldi has to work with. And as Adele has already proven, that’s essential if you want to carve out a long-term career. Uninspired, maybe. Untalented? Certainly not.

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