Rory Graham – known as Rag'n'Bone Man – has released his highly anticipated album What Do You Believe In? following his 2021 album Life By Misadventure. His last album, despite reaching number 1, received mixed reviews from critics, with some wishing for less produced and pop-tuned tracks in exchange for more soulful music suited to impressive vocals. There is, therefore, high hopes for What Do You Believe In?, which dives deep into elements of soul, blues and hip-hop, exploring themes of uncertainty and love in a world of suffering.
Opening with ‘The Right Way’, although produced to be a pop-hit, sets the tone for the overarching theme of the album- we do not have to have the answers to everything.
The title track ‘What Do You Believe In?’ takes on a darker tone, with fast paced lyrics and strong beats (slightly overshadowing Graham’s vocals at times). The track features clever lyricism, narrowly avoiding cliche, with lines like ‘Every hill I didn’t die on, is a mountain that I climb’. Graham concludes all there is to believe in is love. With his more isolated vocals at the closing of the track, it is clear a more stripped-back version of What Do You Believe In? could be exactly what Graham needs to showcase his vocal talent – undeniably that which separates him from many other mainstream artists. Overall, the album’s title track is catchy and polished, lending itself to another success like that of Graham’s 2017 title track ‘Human’.
Some notable moments within the album include ‘Hideaway’ which features bluesy synthetics that successfully add to the groove of the track. Like this track, the album features songs which showcase Graham’s voice in ways we have not yet seen from him, favouring synthesised sounds and syncopation over his typical loud and emotional tracks.
A personal favourite, ‘Chokehold’ explores a love which one has no control over, he is ‘Hooked on [their] highs and lows’. The mix of blended blues and soul accentuates the vocal talent of Graham far more than any of the other tracks. We can all certainly hope to hear more of this in the future. Tracks like ‘Rush of Blood’, although I’m sure would make a fun song to run to, are clearly catering to popular demands – which Graham’s vocals do not lend themselves to.
‘Hope You Felt Loved In The End’, takes a more sombre turn, as Graham sings about loss and reminisces over the things he never said. This track showcases his raw talent vocally with vulnerable lines like ‘I said prayers for you my friend, even though I don’t believe in anything’. Graham reflects on death, comparing it to the slipping away of the tide – amidst all the uncertainty in the world, death is a fact of life we cannot control. As the most personal and honest track of the album, Graham’s voice moves you through the song seamlessly.
Rag’n’Bone Man is not a shiny pop artist and certainly should not be pressured to be so. The tracks that are the least catered to mainstream radio are where Graham’s strengths lie and real emotion can be felt. Overall, What Do You Believe In? is an enjoyable listen, with some memorable, soulful tracks and moving themes.
