Album Review: Will Young - Let It Go (4.5 / 5)

It's a sad truth that painful breakups are the fodder of great music, a point proven yet again by Will Young's fourth album, Let It Go, a brilliant exercise in retro soul-drenched modern pop that is at times uplifting, at time sad, and genuinely affecting. On the upbeat, frequently '70s-esque numbers Will is confident and assured, while on the acoustic guitar and string-laden ballads he is reflective, even sad. The highlights of the album encompass both styles, representing some of his best work yet.

On Let It Go, Young takes a big step forward in bringing his personal life into his work. While he co-wrote a handful of the tracks on each of his first three albums, here he co-writes all but two songs, and even those two seem like they're telling the same story. During the course of writing this album, Will Young broke up with his boyfriend Conor, and the strains of that story echo throughout most of the songs here--the desire to save a failing relationship, the pain of it ending, and finding the strength to move on.

The album opens with its first two singles, current single "Changes" and due-for-release "Grace." Both are good, particularly "Changes," which is propelled along with an assertive piano and synth brass. "Grace" isn't as upbeat, but has a similarly rich production of keyboards, strings, and electric guitar. While good, these tracks are pretty conventional pop compared to the more retro and soulful numbers that follow.

Upbeat "Won't Look Down" gets the full brass section of trombone, trumpet, saxophone and french horn, plus a undercurrent of strings. It's good, but even better tracks follow, like "I Won't Give Up," which has a slight disco feel courtesy of a mix by the Freemasons. Best of the retro pack though goes to "Love," that seamlessly transitions its brass opening through synthesizers to a "Billie Jean"-like synth bass line. Will Young gives Ne-Yo a run for his money in the "next Michael Jackson" race with this. He's also clearly also gunning for the "next George Michael" tag, and makes a good case. Sure they're both British, gay, and sing contemporary soul/pop, but like Michael, Young delivers his songs with conviction. He's maybe not quite as convincing as the former Wham! man, but he's getting closer.

He shines on many of the album's ballads. Often a sore spot for other performers, Will manages to hold my interest on most all of them, which reflect a refreshing variety of styles. "Tell Me the Worst" is pretty contemporary sounding--piano and strings enveloped in a synth-enriched production with soaring choruses and bridge. Acoustic "Let It Go" is better--an amazing beautiful song that opens softly with just Will and an acoustic guitar, with piano and strings coming in later, building appropriately at the end of the second verse. "I have never been afraid of being alone, It's somehow typical of being a man I know," muses Will. It's a statement of denial though, looking back on a broken relationship and deciding to "Let it go." This so deserves to be a single--I hope it's chosen over something more conventional.

My favorite slow song--favorite song period--on this album is "You Don't Know." It benefits from a crystal clear production that makes the sound of the acoustic guitar player's fingers sliding along the strings make that wonderful squeaky noise. Then there's the lush orchestra that sound like it was borrowed from some heartbreaking film. Will sounds great too, especially when he provides his own back up on the line "took my broken bones and put them back together." I think I'm going to cry now.

"Disconnected" is another highlight, a mellow reflection on the turning point where he realizes his relationship isn't working. "Love should be easier, it should be the time of our lives," he says, urging "we gotta talk baby boy, this can't go on." Baby boy? Was that a male pronoun? Yay! Finally, a gay pop artist who doesn't just address the object of his affection with the neutered "you." Imagine that. Wonder how long it will Clay Aiken to record such a song.

There's not a bad moment here. Slower "If Love Equals Nothing" has a warm production and a bit of a swagger. Lavish "Simple Philosophy" is good, although unremarkable next to better, similar songs. "Are You Happy" is another funky number with a strong brass section. Gentle closer "Free My Mind" is a nice reflective ending.

Let It Go is, in short, Will Young's best album yet, and while it may not score him a #1 hit, it will certainly please fans that have followed him and watched him grow since he released his first post (not mentioning the name of the show) single "Evergreen."

Best: You Don't Know, Love, Let It Go, Changes, Disconnected, I Won't Give Up, Tell Me The Worst, Won't Look Down, Grace