Dan Owen, Stay Awake With Me - album review

Now this, his debut record, he describes as: “What I have been working for. I like to think of it as a collection of personal stories and experiences.”

Unfortunately for Dan, in a genre so damn bloated with male and female soloists looking to get their stories across, it falls slap bang in the middle of the same-as-a-lot-of-others category.

There is no real down point to Dan’s record, other than perhaps a lack of willingness to put his foot down from time to time and really see what his voice and guitar can do.

Singing is a strong point for Dan - as you would expect. His soaring vocals betray his young frame, sounding deep and accomplished in their delivery and leaping into the higher echelons of the octaves when he needs them to.

He utilises gospel choirs and uplifting string arrangements to give his choruses and interludes more oomph.

The issue is that songs become similar and twee. You feel like you’ve been here before. And not just with Dan’s music, but a host of artists who have come before him.

But let’s be positive. There is a lot of soul in Dan’s voice, the swooning and powerful notes in closer Splinter show this. It’s one of the album’s best tracks. The outro, featuring those choirs, could turn most frowns upside down. This is what we want more of from the promising singer. Really put those ferocious vocal chords to good use.

He also sounds great on the single Hideaway. It’s a bitter warning of a track with that thwonking bass and scuzzy guitars working like a siren. Another powerful chorus with its thumping percussion pounds at the soul and demands you listen to what Dan has to say. It’s these multi-layered moments which do hold your attention.

Icarus may sound a little like it’s chart-flirting with its staccato chorus, but again it shows Dan’s ability to recognise a big stage sound.

It’s just that when he quietens down, like on Made To Love You or Hand That You Hold, he comes across a bit like a David Gray or Tom Odell impersonator. And he wants to be his own man.

Rating: 6/10

Dan Owen brings his autumn headline tour to Birmingham’s Castle & Falcon on October 13 before a hometown gig at the Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury on November 16.