Review by Dan:

Jem Griffiths has been widely compared to Dido on the strength of this collection, but I would tend to disagree – diverse melodic combinations and, at first glance, slightly naïve lyrics are just a curtain behind which there is a deep and intelligent album waiting to impress. Bassy opening track “They” is my favourite, Jem's voice has a husky edge, folding itself around you and pitched a little deeper than you may come to anticipate. Inviting the listener to “Come On Closer”, the bassy theme is continued, but also introduced is a simple, industrial guitar riff, which tends to give the song an underlying warning of what might happen if you do get closer. In addition to the nod towards hip-hop, some of the intros point to an almost reggae influence – the start of the whimsical, chilled out title track for example put me in mind of Shaggy’s “It Wasn’t Me”. The industrial guitar is back in “24”, combining with a slightly haunting vocal element to make this song a little dark. In contrast, the sun-kissed “Wish I” will lighten your heart and your mood, as will the good natured “Just A Ride”, and penultimate track “Stay Now” is tender and homely. “Finally Woken” is an impressive, creative debut.