‘Staying at Tamara’s’ espouses highest form of positivism

George Ezra takes on the world with a smile

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Fair use from Wikimedia Commons

George Ezra’s newest album “Staying at Tamara’s” was released March 23, 2018.

Eli Curran-Moore

Already topping the charts at number one in the UK, British singer-songwriter George Ezra’s new album “Staying at Tamara’s” is inspired by Ezra’s world voyages, titled from his recent stay at an Airbnb in Barcelona owned by said Tamara. It’s no surprise then the 11 track album is described by the artist as “a collection of songs about escapism, dreaming, anxieties and love.”

Most have heard Ezra’s exceptionally popular tracks, ‘Budapest’ off his 2015 debut album ‘Wanted on Voyage,’ or ‘Paradise’, and ‘Staying at Tamara’s’ is fairly sonically similar. 24-year-old Ezra’s simultaneously gritty, resounding and hearty voice take center stage among the happy upbeat instrumentals. His style is a fun mix of smooth-swelling, pounding pop and light indie rock with simple, crisp lyrics.

Overall, the album fits together nicely, particularly early on from the first track “Pretty Shining People” lamenting “what a terrible time to be alive if your prone to overthinking”, before the track dives into the bottomless lyrical positivity with “we are alright together,” one of the few anxiety-easing allusions to the 21st century outside world amid the dreamy album. Those lyrics set the tone for the remainder chorus all the way to the track “Shotgun,” offering the classic quintessential call for a sense of escapism and a warm, sunny open road. Tracks flow well with catchy verses, melodies and quick snares, but the flow exists without sacrificing tracks’ individual vitality and power.

“Get Away” offers a warm tropical summer vibe, an appropriate escape given the swirling snowstorms in Minnesota prone to endure in spring months. Such joyous positivity does depart in the slightly darker bass-filled “Saviour”, which languishes on defeat and the past, and a bit again in the slower, guitar-driven “Hold My Girl” but overall the album stays resonantly sunny without being overwhelmingly peppy or sweet, letting listening in a cloudy mood feel uplifting, rather than insulting or bitterly ironic. (Thanks postmodernism.)

While in the midst of the album the buoyant “Paradise”, “Don’t Matter How”, “All my Love” and “Sugarcoat” offer similar but well-crafted cheerful confidence and contentment. It’s only near the end of the album with tracks like “Only a Human” where the smiley, reinventory outlook the lyrics promote grows a bit platitudinous, trite, obnoxious and simply boring. Still, the definitely better ebullient, yet soulful piano-centered final track “The Beautiful Dream” ends the album on a soothing, contemplative high.

Regardless of one’s opinion on any glaring similarities with Ed Sheeran, his second album ‘Staying at Tamara’s’ cements Ezra’s individual stance on the world stage. The album is bound to be heard at barbecue yard parties and newly trending restaurants endlessly during the coming summer, and will doubtless enjoy commercial success. I look forward to Ezra’s later, hopefully more genre-innovating and musically-exploratory releases.

Overall rating: ★★★☆☆

“Staying at Tamara’s” is currently available on all media platforms for purchase and streaming, including iTunes/Apple Music, Spotify and Tidal.