Gary Barlow - Music Played by Humans

by Zena Grieg

published: 22 / 12 / 2020

Label: Universal Music
Format: CD

Energetic and orchestral fifth solo album by the English singer-songwriter and Take That lead singer, Gary Barlow

Review

‘Music Played By Humans’ is the fifth solo album by the English singer-songwriter and Take That lead singer, Gary Barlow and the first since his 2013 double platinum album ‘Since I Saw You Last’. The new album’s title is intended to be a homage to musicians. The record is replete with collaborations by an eclectic range of artists including James Corden, Barry Manilow, Michael Buble and Colombian singer Sebastian Yatra. Finished just before the lockdown, Barlow said the aim of this new collection was “to create something really bright, a celebration of music and the wonderful musicians we have in the UK and around the world. Some of it is recorded with an orchestra, some with quartets, a Latin band, and some of the tracks have jazz and big band sections – it really is music played by people, hence the title of the album.” Highlights of this big band focused album include the single ‘Incredible’, the video for this jazz-flavoured track filmed appropriately at the iconic Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London’s Soho, directed by Michael Baldwin. Also impressive are the vibrant duet with Beverly Knight on the R&B-tinged ‘Enough Is Enough’, accompanied by the sound of classical instruments; the astrological send-up ‘Bad Libran’ with its line: “Once again I go to bed a Virgo”, propelled by a 60-piece orchestra; plus a collaboration with R&B singer and former Mis-Teeq member Alesha Dixon on ‘What Leaving’s All About’ with its contemporary feel. I also enjoyed the catchy rhythmic pop track “Eleven” featuring the French-Lebanese jazz trumpeter and composer Ibrahim Maalouf. Barlow’s ‘Music Played By Humans’, is an upbeat collection of new compositions, driven by the energy and vibe of different musical genres.

Track Listing:-

1 Who's Driving This Thing
2 Incredible
3 Elita
4 The Big Bass Drum
5 This Is My Time
6 Enough Is Enough
7 Bad Libran
8 Eleven
9 Before We Get Too Old
10 Supernatural
11 Oh What A Day
12 What Leaving's All About
13 The Kind Of Friend I Need
14 I Didn't See That Coming