Artist – Elijah James and the Nightmares
Single – Man In The Diner
Released – 20th January 2023
Reviewer – Helen Maw, Liverpool Acoustic
Rating – 10/10
Ask any songwriter why they write songs and you’ll likely get a million different answers. However, there is one reason which unites them all, to tell a story. Songs are a gateway to other worlds, often showing you new perspectives. One such songwriter who truly encapsulates what it means to tell a story through a song is Elijah James. Born and raised in Liverpool, James is the sole member of Elijah James And The Nightmares and fuses his distinct brand of melancholia and thought provoking lyrics with a host of talented musicians to create his music. After a number of years on the local scene, James has established himself as a true songwriting talent, the narrative of his songs connecting with audiences and listeners alike.
Man In The Diner is the new single from James’ upcoming album The Hellish Bending Towards The Light which is due for release on March 3rd. Through poignantly written lyrics, James shows the vulnerability in the ordinary, a simple story of a man alone in a diner hides a deeper message. The emotive lyrics of the chorus “My world is a drop of strong whisky in a burning building, and I’m waiting for something to save me” are framed by the celtic-esque strings which often take centre stage throughout the song and the hauntingly beautiful backing vocals of Sophie Bernice.
Through Man In A Diner, James also shows off his vocal talent. The lyrics are performed perfectly by James, his deep baritone voice encapsulating the mood of the song. With perfect vibrato, he narrates the story beautifully and in that moment, you begin to believe he is the man in the diner himself. Accompanying the release is a music video which is available to watch on YouTube.
If this single is anything to go by, the rest of the album should be something to behold.
Helen Maw
© 2022 Helen Maw, Liverpool Acoustic
Man In The Diner is available on Spotify.