The Wave Album Review

Released: 14th October 2016

Published by Island Records

After over fifteen years as the leading voice of Keane, Tom Chaplin has struck out on his own with “The Wave”, a meaningful and fiercely passionate contribution to post-brit pop.

The often underrated Keane have had a presence in UK music since 1995; Chaplin joined the band in 1997 and his strong singing voice was a key component to their success across four major album releases. The band remains on hiatus as of 2013, but Tom has aimed to keep a more active role on the music scene, producing “The Wave” with Matt Hales of Aqualung fame.

Chaplin’s debut record feels both grounded and emotional, borne from a set of personal experiences and beliefs; every song is flavoured with a sense of rooted poignancy while also boasting an extremely creative set of rhythms and instrument compositions. The way the songs are layered (And Chaplin’s own album commentary) represents a journey; “Still Waiting” and “Hardened Heart” open the album with a sense of being trapped in darkness but as the track list progresses, there’s a sense of hopefulness that builds up. “The River” and “I remember you” look to the past, conveying a sense of personal understanding.

Further down the list, beginning with the powerful “Bring the Rain”, a more positive tone begins to take shape, a sense of looking at the positive things in life; “Quicksand” is an echoing tribute to the power of parenthood whereas “See it so clear” puts across a sense of acceptance. The self-titled “The Wave” is the perfect close to the album, making use of trumpets to give an impactful send-off. When taken as a whole package the overall theme of Chaplin’s lyrics is the notion of rising up and bettering oneself after hard times, something which stands tall across the entire album; every song is beautifully layered to show this. Because of this, “The Wave” stands out as a highly uplifting album.

By setting itself apart from his previous work and pouring in all his heart and soul, Tom Chaplin’s The Wave is an immensely heartfelt blend of reflection and change with every track taking equal advantage of resonant themes alongside a powerful voice that always leads the way.

Rating: A