We first shared some of British singer songwriter Tom Speight’s music earlier this year, but it wasn’t the first time we featured him. Way back in 2016 we caught him live at The Duchess supporting Turin Brakes. Now he’s back with a new album, his third. An exploration of love, loss and hope it’s called Love & Light.
By Graeme Smith
Tom describes Love & Light as his most personal work to date and we certainly get that sense of intimacy right from the off. Although album opener Trick of the Light is a lively one, there’s shadow among its brightness, particularly in Tom’s poetic, hard-hitting lyrics and his soulful vocals. The darkness is swept aside by an anthemic chorus, though. It’s a beautiful start.
Wonderful Wonder is gentle and piano-led, and richly romantic in its lyrics. The One is edgier, with a moody RnB-infused groove that Justin Timberlake would be proud of. New single Let Go pairs with The One thematically, exploring the feeling of getting over someone through a laidback but emotionally complex pop arrangement. It’s a highlight.
If This Is How the Story Ends is an introspective, acoustic moment with delicate vocals and a memorable chorus. Title track Love & Light keeps things acoustic with a focus on its bittersweet lyrical story. Beautiful Feeling is wonderfully cinematic while Tomorrow is heart-crushingly stripped-back. It builds to a rock-infused climax that’s another highlight.
We then get a pair of tracks featuring singer songwriter Lydia Clowes. First it’s Aftermath which broods with a pensive energy. Then it’s Escape which has a melancholic vibe under a folksy shimmer. Tears is compellingly percussive and warmly relatable before Simple Things closes the album with another acoustic moment, and some vibrant nostalgia.
Love & Light is a triumphant folk pop album and proof that Tom Speight is a heavyweight in the genre. His name is already out there, but I think this album will certainly grow his audience. Tom is a big supporter of the charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), and will be performing live at their CALM sessions, as well as embarking on his biggest UK headline show to date. You can check out his album Love & Light below.
