6/10

While Jamie Lawson has been a prolific singer-songwriter working the fringes of the underground music scene for many years, his signing to Ed Sheeran's newly formed Gingerbread Man Records has been the catalyst that has sent Lawson circling the mainstream on an international level. His single 'Wasn't Expecting That' has proven to be a huge hit internationally and his self-titled new album looks to be the benchmark moment in his career so far.

Fans of Ed Sheeran will be more than prepared to accept Lawson into their world, given that their sound and songwriting style is almost indistinguishable from each others. However Lawson's voice seems more at home on ballads and it is this direction that the album focuses on. While its production could have done with a little bit more power just to add some variety to the record, it still displays a great level of songwriting talent on the part of its protagonist.

It may not be the most interesting or diverse album we've heard, but what it lacks in experimentation, it more than makes up for in competence. Jamie Lawson is clearly a talent that has been overlooked for too long and this will be the release that gets him the notoriety he deserves.