Album Review: Raised Under Grey Skies

A young dreadlocked Mancunian with smouldering good looks and fully-formed voice, JP Cooper has already notched up a couple of hits in ‘Perfect Strangers’ (a collaboration with producer Jonas Blue) and the sassy ‘September Song’. Blending classic soul influences with contemporary sounds and textures, JP Cooper isn’t a million miles from James Morrison in the way he presents himself. However, there are also elements of jazz-soulster D’Angelo in his singing style, along with a touch of John Legend.

Cooper certainly has an impressive vocal range, avoiding the over-dramatic self-consciousness of some of his peers. On the musical front, current single ‘She’s On My Mind’ grooves along like a late summer’s evening, while the title track echoes the likes of Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers and Curtis Mayfield. Gently strummed guitar and tender vocals combine to make ‘Wait’ a standout, while ‘Change’ recalls ’80s soul star Terence Trent D’Arby.

Elsewhere, the atmospheric ‘The Only Reason’ boasts a soaring falsetto; single ‘Passport Home’ sees Cooper in full gospel mode; and ‘Momma’s Prayers’ (with Stormzy providing some rapped lines) is another spirit-lifting tune. Though he may occasionally veer into Ed Sheeran territory, for the most part Cooper knows where his roots lie.

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7.10