Gavin DeGraw

Give Gavin DeGraw credit, he's an artist never happy to stand still. Having released two relatively similar albums back in the naughties, he decided he needed to work with different writers and expand his sound. For 2011's Sweeter and the subsequent Make A Move, the likes of Ryan Tedder were brought on board to freshen things up. It was a process he admits to being harder than expected, working with others and letting go of his songs into someone else's hands.

For his fifth full studio album the New York based singer has changed things up again, saying that he needs to feel relevant in 2016. Sharing writing duties here are the likes of Gregg Wattenberg, who also produces, having overseen albums by the likes of Goo Goo Dolls and Five for Fighting previously. His touch of polish is evident throughout, and on the pacey and poppy opening She Sets The City On Fire, so is DeGraw's bid for a 'super modern' sound as he calls it.

Lyrically the themes are much as they have been over DeGarw's career, with matters of the heart dominating. But the women in his life do seem to be increasingly giving him the run around, such as on Kite Like Girl where 'she floats' away and is 'nowhere to be seen' when he wakes up. The song also has a hint of one of DeGraw's favourite artists, Hall & Oates, which is no bad thing. It's an influence also evident in the super catchy Annalee, with its Motown beat that reminds you of a hundred songs but still sounds unique (for me there's an instant recall of You can't Hurry Love).

Thirteen years since his debut, DeGraw has never sounded more accomplished, with an album containing virtually no filler (only New Love passes by without making an impression). There's a final nod to his loyal fans too, with the closing title track a full on DeGraw ballad and one his finest songs. If he continues to work this hard at sounding fresh, the American is set for a long and healthy career.