Gavin DeGraw

It is getting close to twenty past seven in the evening and a few of the crowd at the Renaissance Hotel at St Pancras in London are getting jittery. Sophie and Chloe, twin sisters from Essex, even mention the B word - wondering whether they might be left to wait for Gavin DeGraw to come on stage for as long as Justin Bieber fans! Actually the American singer isn't that late and he soon arrives to cheers from the dozens of fans that have won a competition to attend this 'secret' gig on Facebook.

A few hours earlier DeGraw is in fine form as he chats about his new album, working with different songwriters and his appearance on Dancing With The Stars, where he debuted with a less than impressive tango; "whatever the f**k that is" he jokes. DeGraw is on a flying visit to the UK and as we chat his drummer arrives in the room having just woken up - as the jet lag takes its toll. DeGraw is here to chat about Make A Move, his fifth album and second in as many years. The predecessor Sweeter was as strong a record as the New Yorker has produced, and Make A Move looks to build on that success, in-particular the lead single Not Over You, which was a big hit in the States.

For the second record in a row DeGraw has worked with other songwriters - something he is still getting used to. Here the likes of Ryan Tedder bring extra sharpness to the album - without losing any cohesion of sound. Lead single Best I Ever Had has picked up a fair bit of UK radio play, with its feel of Train's Drive By, its the poorer side of pop, while the title track takes a lead from another of DeGraw's recent touring partners, Maroon 5. After those two tracks the album becomes much more familiar territory for DeGraw and much the better for it.

Finest Hour is a Tedder co-write, and it is a power-ballad special, immediately drawing you into a story about that one very special night - and how you cannot escape the cameras anywhere anymore. Who's Gonna Save Us is another in the same vain - as well as Everything Will Change, but there is a new groove to the music. Perhaps that appearance on Dancing With The Stars has had an effect. Make A Move's title is supposed to be a reflection on moving from New York, but maybe it is also a reference to that groove. The album highlight is the bluesy Every Little Bit, which shows what DeGraw can do when the shackles of pop are off.

What is amazing is that DeGraw is still best known here for having his song used as the theme to One Tree Hill. With an album this strong - he should be a bigger UK star. Back at the Renaissance Hotel in London, his fans in the know enjoy a set of eight songs, from across his ten year career. It might take the likes of Best I Ever Had to raise his UK profile - but that would be a misleading way into his catalogue. Make A Move has much more and much better to offer.

Hear my interview with Gavin here: