Album releases
Wanted On Voyage star goes for singalongs on his follow-up album, inspired by his experiences at an Airbnb and a cabin near a pig farm
George Ezra is hoping to continue his successful musical journey with his much-awaited followup to the travelogue debut Wanted On Voyage.
His odd, deep voice and ‘whistle while you work’ hits Budapest and Blame It On Me saw him top charts, get nominated for Brits and lead singalongs on the Glastonbury main stage.
Only Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith outsold The Ez back in 2014 – so he felt the pressure while making his belated second album Staying At Tamara’s.
“There was a moment about six months into writing and recording it when I thought ‘S***, people are going to hear this music’,” says George, 24. “I’d just been in my own little world. I didn’t write the songs to match the commercial success of Wanted On Voyage but this time I knew what I enjoyed playing live. I knew what worked with a festival audience, and how good it felt to have singalong choruses.
“So I did my best to write some singalong numbers.”
Living up to his cautious image, the son of Hertfordshire schoolteachers has followed the creative formula that worked so well first time round, taking his trusty guitar to a series of low-key locations to write songs.
On the two-year tour that followed his debut success, George tasted the high life in America. He and his crew got private tours of NASA and The White House. But left to his own devices, he favours places such as a Barcelona Airbnb – whose owner Tamara inspired the title track of his new album – and a cabin in Norfolk with no electricity, where he shacked up for 10 days.
“There was not another soul in sight, other than the neighbouring pig farm. I took my guitar, notebooks and a little battery powered radio. It was one of the most amazing experiences. I absolutely loved it. If ever I disappear, you know where to find me.”
For now though, George has got a lot more touring to do, but he insists he’s not gunning to outsell sad Sam or King Ed this time.
“I don’t think there is rivalry between us at all,” he says. “I could be wrong though – you’d have to ask them. I have had the pleasure of spending time with both Sam and Ed. “Sam did me a huge favour inviting me to support him on his US tour. My first show in New York was Madison Square Gardens. So if you’re reading this, Sam... IOU.” The cult trio from New Jersey reference Sly Stone’s 1971 album in the title, but the introspective sound is their own. The downcast mood hints at unease with the world but the songwriting action concentrates on the wild romantic yearnings of Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley, the couple at YLT’s centre. From arch funk in She May, She Might through the tropical Polynesia#1 to lonesome harmony in Shades of Blue and Forever, this is a teeming selection of swirling influences. Get ready to rumble.