Callum Beattie - People Like Us (2020)

Scottish singer-songwriter, Callum Beattie’s long-awaited debut album People Like Us is an insightful and diverse collection of songs which leads listeners through a journey of ups and downs, wrapped up in the warmth of Beattie’s warm vocal timbre.

Opening with the joyful energy of ‘Mouth Of A Tiger’ the singer’s rich vocals only get stronger with each passing track on the 15-track production. Debut single ‘We Are Stars’ combines a simple instrumental as the focus zeros into Beattie’s expansive, bold voice which cuts sharply through the hazy, dreamlike quality of the song. While his voice and ability to pen poignant lyrics remains consistent, Beattie manages to diversify his musicality particular on the guitar-led ‘Bonfires’ and slow-burn offering ‘Nothing Hurts Like You’.

‘Easter Road’ is a deceptively simple slice of perfection, which opens with a pure piano instrumental before layers upon layers of complexity are added on, with the hero still remaining Beattie’s soaring delivery, broken heartfelt hums – making for an easy early highlight. Building on the lull of ‘Easter Road’ comes the anthemic, rock-tinged ‘Man Behind The Sun’.

Poetic, heartbreaking and the best track on the album, ‘Some Heroes Don’t Wear Capes’ is a dedication to Beattie’s father. His emotional delivery when he sings the line, “they’re just ordinary people fighting their demons away,” is a goose bumps-inducing moment that stays with you long after the album has finished. The fact that this is only track number seven is an impressive detail, as it sets the standards sky-high for tracks to come. Beattie delivers, though, without missing a beat with the upbeat, country-tinged, acoustic soundscape of ‘Daddy’s Eyes’ and the whistled feel-good groove of ‘Therapy’.

The album seamlessly alternates between sensitive melodies and catchy compositions; for example the romanticism of ‘Talk About Love’ precedes the playful, high-energy stylings of ‘Play’, before the atmospheric, dark brilliance of ‘Salamander Street’ becomes the second highlight. It’s a feat rarely accomplished but Beattie follows up one highlight with another in the form of piano-led love song ‘Ghosts In The Dark’.

Penultimate offering, ‘People Like Us’, is a masterpiece that hinges only on an acoustic guitar and Beattie’s vocal talent. Painfully simple and unflinchingly beautiful, it’s the track that purely focuses on the singer’s natural yet impressive abilities to carry a tune perfectly. Final track ‘Secrets’ is a charming slice of heaven where the Scotsman’s accent adds a layer of homely comfort bringing the album to a closure that feels like soft blankets over restless spirits.

Hazy yet lucid, and expansive yet intimate, People Like Us is a debut album made of dreams. It is Callum Beattie’s childhood and life experiences spun expertly into stories for the soul with a nimble touch of musicality.