Album Review: Aiden Grimshaw – Misty Eye

This week sees the release of Aiden Grimshaw’s début album, Misty Eye. It’s a feat in itself that the 20 year old lad from Blackpool is releasing an album after coming in just ninth position in 2010′s X Factor series.

Grimshaw released ‘Is This Love’ back in June, the first single lifted from the album, and it still remains a near-perfect slice of haunting indie-pop, and whilst it remains a highlight of the album there is still much more for fans to enjoy.

‘Is This Love’ was a good representation of Misty Eye, as the album has clearly been built around Aiden’s voice and songwriting style. It feels as though he has taken his time to develop the album, rather than going with a rushed release, which has ultimately paid off for Mr Grimshaw.

Opening track, ‘Hold On’, demands your attention and is the strong opener this album needs. Man of the moment, Smiler, features on track three, ‘What We Gonna Be’, dropping a couple of hot rap verses between Aiden’s soaring vocals.

The title track, ‘Misty Eye’, is another heartbreak anthem for the Mumford and Sons generation – Aiden has clearly found his winning formula and is sticking to it.  Current single ‘Curtain Call’ remains as epic as when it was first unleashed, though it’s a shame we don’t get Aiden on the chorus.

‘Be Myself’ is a pleasant enough song, though the lyrics can get quite dark – something which is a constant throughout the album. Even Aiden’s incredible vocals can’t sugar-coat lyrics such as ‘Have I jumped in too deep? Gave you all of me / Demons at my door, I’m drowning’. Whilst some people argue his songwriting is based on his X Factor experiences, one thing is for sure – Aiden is singing from the heart.

In a time where male artists are often regarded as manufactured or talentless, perhaps Aiden, his voice and this album may be able to shake things up a bit. The quality is definitely there.

Overall, Misty Eye is a solid album and Aiden Grimshaw has buckets of talent, but if you’re not a fan of the genre, this may not be for you. However, if you loved Aiden’s first two singles, then this is a must-buy. We reckon you won’t be disappointed.

Go Get It – ‘Hold On’ / ‘What We Gonna Be’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr-NW1duTt4