What's not to love about Cheyenne Jackson? He's not let me down so far as I've followed his career from Xanadu to stunning Attitude cover shoot to Smash to Behind The Candelabra. In between there have been delicious glimpses into his love of pop music through some solo singles, many of which are now collected on this hugely enjoyable long player (as they used to be called back in the day). I'm mightily pleased that he's bringing his easy going charm to the masses. Within these 11 brand new songs, Cheyenne creates music that he knows will make the listener feel good, yet he also taps into his darker moments revealing his sad vulnerabilities to the world. It allows for an engrossing & engaging piece of work that resonates on many levels - even the album title can be read two ways: with comma, his more melancholy side takes the fore yet remove the comma and happier times come into play. There's crossover of emotions in some of the songs & music that ensure Cheyenne is always passionate and powerful with his vocal delivery, much more so than if his feelings were neatly compartmentalised. It's a lovely album and here's why...
- Before You ~ Before You, is a gorgeous, bright and breezy affair celebrating the all consuming feeling of being completely in love with somebody. Cheyenne's voice is effortlessly engaging, powering forth when it needs to, holding back for those more tender moments. With an utterly delightful melody that is both timeless and classic, Cheyenne's onto a real winner here. The video (above) is also a real trip - paying homage to sitcoms of yesteryear such as Addams Family and The Munsters. Plus Cheyenne gets to work those 50s movie star looks all suited and booted Mad Men styl-ee. I approve. Of everything ~ it's the perfect way to open the album & leave you eager for what's in store...
- I'm Blue, Skies ~ Possibly the most rousing anthem you will hear this year, seamlessly mixing electro-synth with soaring vocals, compulsive beats and the type of energy you require in a song to close Act One of any Broadway musical. It's all about the possibilities of your dreams & holding onto those no matter what life throws at you. When the music crescendos, there is real euphoria in the song that is utterly hard to resist. Listen to whenever you feel gloomy or depressed about the state of the world and instantly feel uplifted. Magnificent.
- Any Day Now ~ In a way, this song is similar to the title track of the album yet tackles it in a much more delicate, fragile way. Just Cheyenne's gorgeous, nuanced vocals that are hauntingly sad as he sings of wanting to feel better after a fractured relationship yet can't seem to find the emotions for this within. Matched to the lovely elegiac guitar that soundtracks him, it's a mesmerising piece of work that anyone will be able to relate to. It's also the type of song that X Factor contestants love to over emote too, but Cheyenne pitches it perfectly and the song is all the more effective because of this.
- She's Pretty, She Lies ~ There are quite a few reasons to love this single. Firstly, it's the most country of Cheyenne's songs (reminding me a little bit of the goddess Shania's own "She's Not Just A Pretty Face") yet feels like the type of classic contemporary pop hit that used to regularly grace our fair charts. Secondly, it's co-written by Cheyenne with the amazing Sia so you know it's pretty darn tooting good. Thirdly, I kind of like the fact that Cheyenne can sing of relationships gay and straight. Why can't he be an all encompassing artist? I like this perspective. And finally, seeing as I'm a fan of Cheyenne in a suit, the video is a real bonus - playing the events backwards I get to see him all dishevelled & wet in the shower before he reverse-neatens up :) (Plus it's beautifully shot, so extra points there)!
- Drive ~ one of Cheyenne's early singles, this kicks off with some simple but lovely piano before elegant strings are added alongside Cheyenne's distinctive voice. Pounding drums weave in and out for dramatic effect & give the song the feel of a textured climb to a big-as-all-outdoors chorus that certainly doesn't disappoint. Sumptuous backing vocals create a more intimate feel that stops the song from feeling too impersonal and again, this draws the listener into the song. It's about the need to escape every now and then just to cope with the rigors of everyday life; it's so cleverly produced that you do feel like you are racing alongside Cheyenne and it's as every bit as exhilarating as you would want it to be. Genius video concept too :)
- Mr Lonely Boy ~ a beautiful soliloquy of a song that once again transports you back to the theatrical background of Cheyenne. It creates an element of a story that allows the listener to fill in the blanks to Mr Lonely Boy and how he got into this situation. Quick note here that is relevant to some of the other songs too ~ when Cheyenne goes falsetto it's a real treat to listen to. This entire song is actually a vocal tour de force and is actually quite a difficult song to sing. Yet, there is not one note out of place & Cheyenne's voice acts as the emotional anchor to the backing instrumental flawlessly.
- Don't Wanna Know ~ Excuse me if I get a bit excited (more so than I am already am) about this song. Next to the title track it's one of the most percolating, enjoyable pop songs on the album. In it's most simplest form it's a huge kiss off song where Cheyenne comes out of a relationship yet decides he's better off that way, better off without the feeble excuses, better off forging his own path. In a way, it's his You Can't Stop The Beat, his Defying Gravity, his I Believe. That song when you can't help but feel uplifted, optimistic and super duper amazing deep down inside. A huge added draw is the freaking gay-mazing video which sees Cheyenne dance his cares away with a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious cast of people twirling along with him. Dancing construction workers, swirling rainbow coloured umbrellas, sexy as heck cops, it's an orgasmic overstimulation and I just hit repeat every time I see it :) (even though that wistful ending gets me everytime)...
- Back Pocket ~ channelling his inner Elton John & Billy Joel on the intro, it soon flows into a organic sounding, live feeling track that acts as a declaration of love to the object of Cheyenne's affections. Loving the horns, the pared back strumming middle 8 and the gamut of emotions that Cheyenne displays within the song. It's like 3 different songs in one, yet it totally works within the concept of what is being delivered.
- Not Ready To Let You Go ~ this is Cheyenne's Disney moment. That song that accompanies the part of the film where it seems our destined to be together couple are never going to fulfil this promise. The backing music is so dreamy and mellifluous that it almost makes you forget the innate sadness of the lyrics within the song. It's like a peek into the private pages of Cheyenne's diary, but this type of open and honest songwriting just makes him even more beguiling & magical to his ever growing fanbase...
- Don't Look At Me ~ Another Sia co-write and a corker at that. There's something about a guy and his piano that will always sound so intimately emotive regardless of whether it's an up or downbeat number. Cheyenne makes sure that every piano note he plays is an intricate part of this thundering anthem - and it emphatically demonstrates what can be crafted without any studio gimmickery that other songs can often get lost in. The world around you melts away and suddenly it's just you, the piano, Cheyenne's voice and a gamut of emotions washing over you. Stunning.
- You Get Me ~ it seems fitting that the album finishes with a I'm Blue Skies (no comma) moment, and this duet with Charlotte Sometimes is a rollicking good time that leaves you with an enormous smile on your face. Charlotte easily matches Cheyenne note for note & gives added giddy joy to the track. It leaves you all elated and skippity skipping back to the start to experience this diverse, happy, sad, joyful, amazing album all over again :)
Buy (UK) here...
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