Album: The Afterlove

Overview
"The Afterlove" is the fifth studio album by British singer-songwriter James Blunt, released on 24th March 2017 by Atlantic Records. This album showcases a brand-new instructions for the artist, as Blunt ventures into a more electronic and modern pop sound compared to his previous acoustic ballads. This change is the result of a series of partnerships with different popular songwriters and producers, making "The Afterlove" a distinct addition to Blunt's discography. The album received combined evaluations from critics but was supported by the singles "Love Me Better", "Bartender", "Don't Give Me Those Eyes", and "Time of Our Lives".

Background and Production
Following the mild success of his previous album, "Moon Landing" in 2013, James Blunt took some time off to have a break from the music industry. In 2016, he revealed on social media that he was working on new material for a 5th album. The production of "The Afterlove" saw Blunt collaborating with renowned songwriters and producers such as Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic), Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid (Snow Patrol), and Steve Mac. This group of talented people helped shape the new musical design included on the album.

Music and Lyrics
"The Afterlove" offers a refreshing change from James Blunt's hallmark acoustic sound that moved him into the spotlight in the early 2000s. The album experiments with a range of components and modern pop sounds, consisting of electronic beats, piano-driven ballads, and orchestral arrangements. This diverse mix showcases Blunt's flexibility as an artist.

Lyrically, "The Afterlove" mostly focuses on themes of love, relationships, and heartache, which is not a significant departure from Blunt's previous work. However, he does display a more fully grown and self-aware technique to these topics in this album. For instance, the lead single, "Love Me Better", features Blunt dealing with the criticisms and mockery he has actually faced throughout his career with a touch of self-deprecation and humor.

Reception
Upon release, "The Afterlove" got combined evaluations from music critics. While some applauded Blunt's determination to progress and transform his noise, others were not as receptive to the upgraded style, feeling that the heavy cooperations diluted the authenticity of his music. The album peaked at number six on the UK Albums Chart and number eleven on the Swiss Albums Chart.

Despite the mixed crucial reception, fans still delighted in the new sound that Blunt delivered. Songs like "Bartender" and "Don't Give Me Those Eyes" received praise for retaining his emotional and earnest songwriting with an innovative production design.

Conclusion
"The Afterlove" marks a strong step for James Blunt, as he fearlessly explores brand-new musical areas and updates his sound to fit the modern pop landscape. The album's partnerships with well-known songwriters and producers, and its experimentation with different musical designs, ensures that it stands out in Blunt's discography. While the album may have polarized critics, it proved that Blunt is not scared to take threats and evolve as an artist. With "The Afterlove", James Blunt successfully demonstrated his ability to grow and adjust while maintaining the psychological core that has actually constantly specified his music.