The James Blunt back story will be everywhere soon enough – the former British cavalry officer who recorded demos for his new album “Back to Bedlam” (Custard/Atlantic) in Carrie Fisher’s bathroom. So before that takes hold, hang onto this: Blunt’s debut single “You’re Beautiful” is stunning and lovely.
The guitar-driven ballad sounds like a cross between Damien Rice and Elton John, halfway between edgy and catchy. But it is Blunt’s swooning vocals, capturing the mood of a man who could crumble at any given moment, that make the song work. Mixing raw emotion and a pop melody is tough to pull off, but “You’re Beautiful” makes it look easy.
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