Bedford-born singer-songwriter Tom Grennan took the name of his second album Evering Road from a street he used to live on with his ex-girlfriend. And his origin story is an interesting one too – Grennan trained to become a professional footballer but was released, finding work instead at a Costa Coffee. At the age of 18, he was attacked in the street leaving him with metal plates and screws in his jaw. He got into music, apparently, after friends were impressed by his impromptu singing at a party, and pushed him into pursuing it further.

His debut album Lighting Matches crashed into the top ten of the UK albums chart and merged soul, jazz and hip hop influences. Evering Road builds on this base well: a break up record, documenting the pain, process and possibility born out of that relationship ending. Singles This Is The Place and Little Bit Of Love set the tone, powerful soul pop all delivered in Grennan’s captivating, textured, gravelly voice.

It Hurts is a slower, more contemplative affair, albeit one delivered with some real guts, while Let’s Go Home Together with Ella Henderson is a charming, captivating tale of finding someone new (“You seem like someone I could / Pick fight with and dance all night with / Maybe you'll like me the way I am”.) Grennan, and Evering Road, though feel like they hit their stride on the higher-tempo, radio-friendly tracks, album opener If Only and Something Better are two of the best examples.

Writing on his official Facebook page about the release, Grennan said: “I can’t believe it, my second album Evering Road is finally yours, I’m feeling very emotional right now and so proud of this album. It’s honestly the most honest album I could have given you and tells the story of love, heartbreak and redemption. I battled with a lot of demons during this album and have left nothing a secret. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey, let it live in your lives because it’s not just my album it’s OUR album and I love you all!”

And it does feel like the sort of album that will really connect with Grennan’s fans, an evolution of Lighting Matches, with more melodies, more polish, and more personal lyrics. 

Evering Road (Deluxe Edition) tracklist:

1. If Only
2. Something Better
3. Little Bit Of Love
4. Amen
5. It Hurts
6. Never Be A Right Time
7. This Is The Place
8. Sweeter Then
9. Make My Mind Up
10. Second Time
11. You Matter To Me
12. Oh Please
13. I Don’t Need A Reason
14. Love Has Different Ways To Say Goodbye
15. Let’s Go Home Together (Ella Henderson featuring Tom Grennan)
16. Long Live You And I

Watch the official video for Little Bit Of Love here.

Author: Joe Sharratt

Joe Sharratt is a writer and journalist based in the UK covering music, literature, sport, and travel.