Album Review: Nathan Gray – “Working Title”

Due for release 31st January 2020, “Working Title” is believed to be a fresh and new direction approach to the solo career of the Boysetsfire front man.

Nathan Gray set out his stall initially in the solo artist area with “Feral Hymns” having played with the melodic/hardcore punk band Boysetsfire since 1994, with that album he moved into an area of work that on listening gave the impression that it was just about getting things off your chest and learning how to express how you feel without the confines of a band to hold you back, maybe this was purely a place that needed to be delved into in order to move forward, dark and melancholy it was, but that has now led him along a path that as this new albums title may elude to is work in progress.

With Working Title you feel that not all is dark and miserable, in fact it has so many more aspects that say he has dealt in some way with the forces that led to that first solo attempt and although still has aspects of life that challenge this, he has found ways to take them in his stride. 

This album with it’s full on electric power and that being backed up with the strength of conviction that rings throughout, is a huge step forward when lined up against Feral Hymns. Whether or not it was intentional, the anthemic feel is there in spades but along with this you are also given beautiful ballads like “What About You” & “Refrain” which lyrically have all the traits the first album, but hit heights that somehow the acoustic could not quite reach. 

To draw some kind of comparison Blue October seems to spring to mind when listening to many of these for lack of a better word emotional tracks, yet you still get that uplifting feeling due the power and depth that only a full band behind you can give, this shows it self in a big way in the brilliant “The Markings” & “The Fall” as much as acoustic has it’s place, this album shows that giving some songs life just takes adding that little extra padding around the edges.  

All in all this is a much more accomplished and complete piece of work than that which proceeded it and your’e not just getting a Boysetsfire off shoot of an album, it covers so many subjects that are dear to his heart and that need to be talked about in general, with all the love and respect they deserve, Intolerance and pain are covered in a caring and knowing way.

To Pre Order the album click HERE

Check Out Nathan Gray Website HERE

Watch the Video for Working Title below