ALBUM REVIEW: Shades Of Blue – Danny Worsnop

As Danny Worsnop‘s musical roulette wheel this time lands on the genre of blues, you’d be justified in having your doubts over what’s to follow. The Yorkshireman’s last solo effort, The Long Road Home did little to convince anyone of his ability to be the main creative voice in the room. And while the ’80s country tone of the album did little to support his classic vocal tropes – it was in the northerner’s lyricism where things took somewhat of a nose dive. Now fully back in the fold with original band ASKING ALEXANDRIA, Worsnop‘s musical journeyman days looked like they were coming to an end at the climax of 2017. But, with Shades Of Blue, Danny Worsnop achieves something that he hasn’t managed to in quite some time: he opens a door for himself with a whole new realm of possibilities potentially awaiting him inside.

Coming as a by product of its creator’s vast array of life experiences, Shades Of Blue is a journey with a rainbow like category of emotional avenues. From the pre-break up acceptance of Tomorrow, to the depiction of life’s morbid unpredictability within the walls of At The Time – we find a brutally honest, harmoniously laid bare Danny Worsnop here. It’s not the first time that he’s flirted with a picturesque tale of his background, but it’s certainly his best attempt at doing so thus far. Intriguing lyrical honesty doesn’t necessarily translate to an impressive record though. And that’s where Shades Of Blue holds its biggest heavyweight punch – this is an accessible, and enticing attempt at fresh waters by Worsnop. Even when the lyrical content isn’t the centrepiece, this is an album that holds its own valour – and wields it with finesse.

The opening one-two of Little Did I Know and Best Bad Habit have a sumptuous, jazz laden rhythm that could land as instant modern classics with blues fans, while I’ve Been Down‘s solemn attitude brings a hint of intensity to the record that you couldn’t possibly expect. It’s all placed together with a keen eye for pacing in mind. Shades Of Blue changes tempo enough times to keep things unpredictable, but not so much so that it becomes a chore to take in its whole musical depth.

It’s fair to say that quality of vocal performance was probably the last worry on your mind when the news of Shades Of Blue‘s existence reached the masses, And it’s equally fair to say that at times, Worsnop‘s quality behind the mic is what has kept his career afloat. Your opinion on ASKING ALEXANDRIA, WE ARE HARLOT, or Long Road Home is somewhat irrelevant – Danny Worsnop has a unique texture to his vocal tones that give him a fighting chance of being a success wherever he lands. And Shades Of Blue is nigh on vocal excellence from start to finish, even the most hardened fan of ASKING ALEXANDRIA could find joy listening to Worsnop‘s joyous licks of melody that permeate this album.

When you boil it down to the cold hard facts, Danny Worsnop had no right to create a blues album of this quality. With his previous solo work being questionable at best, and this time tackling a whole new genre – you’d have to imagine few would be surprised if Worsnop took a misplaced leap into the unknown here. But instead, Shades Of Blue is a vocal master at work, this time in a new field. The setting may have changed, but this is Danny Worsnop at the most comfortable, and meritorious we have seen him in quite some time.

Rating: 8/10

Shades Of Blue is set for release May 10th via Sumerian Records. 

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