All the Lost Souls is the second studio album from the British singer-songwriter, James Blunt, who gained profound fame (some will argue notoriety) with his debut album, Back to Bedlam, which featured songs like the grossly overplayed “You’re Beautiful”, the saddest song ever composed “Goodbye My Lover” and my personal favourite “Wisemen”.

All the Lost Souls was written in Blunt’s Ibiza home, however doesn’t contain one single party-stomper, but did sell 650 000 copies within the first week of its release. It could be mistaken for a pop album, but its underlying dark notes, tones, innuendos, lyrics, and vocals resonate an enigmatic depth. I didn’t even have to listen to this album a second time to know that I liked it. I could pick out my favourite tracks with the first listen, and that doesn’t happen very often.

Paying homage, in song, to the pang of human existence, All the Lost Souls is just shy of a concept album. Blunt covers broken hearts, the sadness of war (surely inspired by his time spent as an officer for the British Army in Kosovo), and the ramifications of fame or the search for it.

Blunt also experiments with some new sounds, without fundamentally losing his unique sound; venturing out of the safety of traditional pop lyrics with attitude and writing challenging lyrics such as ‘Me and my guitar we play my way. It makes them frown’ and ‘I’ve taken shiploads of drugs’ on the Elton John-esque “Give Me Some Love”.

All the Lost Souls woos you with beautiful simplicity, intelligent lyrics and meaningful melodies. And there is a list of beautiful songs, starting with the first single “1973”, said to have been inspired by a woman Blunt met at the club scene in Ibiza. “1973” is a poppier Blunt song which could very easily have been on the charts during the 70s. The song was co-written by Mark Batson, the Grammy nominated producer, arranger and songwriter known for his work with 50 Cent, Beyoncé, Busta Rhymes and Jay-Z.

Teasing with old world song craft, “One of the Brightest Stars”, “Same Mistake” and “Shine On” reminisce a 1970s musical. Melodically any one of the songs has the theatrical composition that could accompany the Coup de Grâce of the hero or the heroine. Lyrically they tell the kind of story that wouldn’t leave a dry eye in the house.
With the contemplative ballad “I Really Want You", the ex-Army officer meditates on the time he spent in Kosovo, declaring his broken heart over simplistic guitar work in the chorus. It is in its basic musical composition where “I Really Want You” sparks magic, leaving more than enough room for Blunt to whisper beautiful thought provoking things in your ear.

All the Lost Souls is an acoustic-flavoured album with an overall retro feel. James Blunt’s gentle voice lulls over singular piano notes and interesting guitar work to present you with an album that is in essence still James Blunt, but with a less folk sound to it, leaning more towards pop/rock with a line of soul passing through it.