James Bay Possesses a Soft Touch On "Let It Go"

Making so much with so little. James Bay has that down cold. If "Let It Go" is any indication he's successfully orchestrated the template for an adult contemporary-based career that can only get better as it goes along. It's nice to be eased into the ideal mood rather than pushed headlong. Enter one super delicate guitar and you've got the makings of a truly exquisite number that can rock your frazzle nerved baby through whatever slings and arrows come her way. Not long after an endearing drum pops into focus. The end result? Congratulations...you've located an indestructible happy place. Lyrically James Bay does much to enhance the watercolor soft strokes his instruments encourage. The message hit upon repeatedly is "Come on let it go. Just let it be. Why don't you be you and I'll be me." Who else are we supposed to be one wonders. The backstory reads as follows. Many a rough night has led to boy and girl dangling at the precipice of relationship disaster. "Walkin' home and talkin' loads." Ears burning every which way. Not exactly sure what "nervous touch" refers to. The stayin' up and wakin' up with you angles I grasp completely. This dude sounds like a prince among men. Poetic to its marrow we're treated to the line: "Everything that's broke leave it to the breeze." Letting go isn't easy regardless of the relationship construct at work. It's a wise idea anyway. It tends to lessen the cosmic baggage you truck around over the years. Sooner or later that baggage could easily give you a hernia. "I used to recognize myself" rings true for anybody who has watched him or herself disintegrate into someone not particularly likable. At the sight of becoming something else he declares: "I think it's time to walk away." When the essence of the attraction wanes that's likely your best bet. Break ups entail a tactful touch which Mr. Bay exhibits to endearing effect. I'm reminded of other adult contemporary singles along the order of John Mayer's "Daughters". It too conveyed so much pathos all the while using nothing but a well-worn guitar to deliver his sentiments. Time will tell if James reaches John's level of heart melting approachable technical richness. Any lady would consider herself lucky to have James let her down easy. James realizes when a problem's too heavy to hold. His answer? Let it slide. Being comfortable in one's own skin takes practice. It's a craft much the same way as painting or photography or cooking. Julia Child made it OK to be error prone in the kitchen, to accept that the whoops moments are part of the attraction. The audience she reached out to was allowed to be comfortable in its collective skin. Her legions of admirers are and always will be grateful to her. James grasps that emotional honesty is paramount in grooming a healthy robust relationship. Next time you're seeking freshness to boost your iPod to enchanting heights give "Let It Go" a try. Letting go of the calm caress won't be so easy. You won't want to either.