Chaos and the Calm
by James Bay
  • Record Label: Republic
  • Release Date: Mar 24, 2015
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. AllMusic
    Mar 24, 2015
    70
    Often compared to Ed Sheeran and Ben Howard, Chaos and the Calm shows James Bay has the style and the ability to stand on his own, and it's the work of a new performer with an impressive potential.
  2. Clash Music
    Mar 24, 2015
    70
    This is an album of genuine intent, full of poignant reflections on romance, hope, fear, the past, the present, and the future. It’s got heart. And that’s enough for starters.
  3. PopMatters
    Apr 23, 2015
    60
    Bay is unable to ever quite match the sheer fire of opening stretch of the album, which is a bit of a bummer. And revisiting that whole matter of treading new ground, well it just doesn’t happen. Still, the pieces are just too good to resist--Bay has plenty to offer.
  5. Mojo
    Apr 22, 2015
    60
    Polished and platitude-laden but hugely effective. [May 2015, p.100]
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  6. Q Magazine
    Apr 1, 2015
    60
    It's not to say he's workmanlike, but he does the job. [May 2015, p.110]
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  7. musicOMH.com
    Mar 24, 2015
    50
    Ultimately, Chaos And The Calm is a solid, if unspectacular, first effort from Bay.
  8. The Telegraph (UK)
    Mar 24, 2015
    40
    Making music by numbers shouldn’t be this tiring.
  9. The Guardian
    Mar 24, 2015
    40
    Chaos and the Calm churns out pleasant but forgettable, festival-ready anthems.
  10. The Observer (UK)
    Mar 24, 2015
    40
    His debut is anodyne if ruthlessly efficient. A touch more chaos would not have gone amiss.

Awards & Rankings

93
#93 Most Shared Album of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 70 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 54 out of 70
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 70
  3. Negative: 10 out of 70
  1. HoldOn
    Mar 24, 2015
    7
    This is a good album, but it's so generic ... The first EPs James were good, super warm, but use the same tracks become very simple and commonThis is a good album, but it's so generic ... The first EPs James were good, super warm, but use the same tracks become very simple and common album. Just another folk album, but still has good lyrics.… Full Review »
  2. quotes
    Mar 27, 2015
    5
    I was expecting for more than this album shows. It's just a soup of a lot of things, there is not something that characterises this, but theI was expecting for more than this album shows. It's just a soup of a lot of things, there is not something that characterises this, but the lyrics are good. I think James Bay is more a country singer than a folk singer, his voice reminds me of country singers, perhaps it can work. I like so much of 'Move Together' and 'Craving', they are my favourite songs on 'Chaos and the Calm', although I'm disappointed with it.… Full Review »
  3. LilScience
    Jan 4, 2022
    8
    James Bay sempre foi um artista que nunca me interessei muito, mas de um tempos para cá comecei a ouvir mais músicas, digamos que ele é umJames Bay sempre foi um artista que nunca me interessei muito, mas de um tempos para cá comecei a ouvir mais músicas, digamos que ele é um rockeiro meio alternativo, porém muito talentoso, esse álbum é muito bem produzido, e bem coeso, minhas faixas favoritas são: 'Let It Go', 'Hold Back The River', 'Scars' e 'Collide'.… Full Review »
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