Steve Grand - We Are The Night (Acoustic)

Buy We Are The Night on Steve's album All American Boy here (iTunes UK)

All American boy Steve Grand continues to fly the flag for quality, emotion driven music. His debut album has connected and resonated with fans across the globe who appreciate his honest songwriting and ability to craft a melody that embeds itself firmly into the recesses of your mind. He sings of love and heartbreak with such aching nuance that he's able to conjure up images of your own memories, taking you back to moments both good and bad, becoming the soundtrack to your life. He continues to demonstrate this on an acoustic performance of album track We Are The Night. Accompanied by his own piano playing, the song's lyrics paint evocative brush strokes across this mesmerising musical canvas. Steve ably conveys the expansive possibilities that a world swathed in darkness has to offer - and it's particularly effective when he sings of the elements of light shining through. "We are the night/they say we just ain't right/but we are the night" is an anthemic, rallying call to arms for anyone who has ever felt disenfranchised, marginalised or bullied into not letting their voice be heard. Steve has always been a tremendous ambassador for LGBTQ rights and his vocal performance in the chorus seems powered by his emphatic belief in equality and love for all. These moments of rousing conviction are further accentuated by the more reflective elements of the song - in the verses, there is a hushed reverence for the narrative. It's almost like that explorative urge in us all, tentatively pushing at the boundaries until we know how we can soar and fly. This ties nicely into the message of being the best you that you can be and it's all rather inspiring, leaving you exhilarated and ready to conquer what the day (and night) has to offer. I have to mention the piano one more time - it's a beautiful arrangement that weaves alongside Steve's voice with such symbiotic companionship it's almost like a duet partner. It all coalesces to evidence young Mr Grand's classic songwriting that recalls the halcyon days of Elton John and Billy Joel. Stirring stuff - and a great reminder that, if you are looking for a gift for someone this year, Steve's album is so much more than just the gift of music.