Album Review: Greyson Chance Receives a Proper Debut with Portraits Release

   ★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2 out of 5

   Thrust into the entertainment spotlight at a young age could complicate growth for many. Soon after Oklahoma-native Greyson Chance, now 21, captivated the nation with a piano performance of “Paparazzi” by Lady Gaga at a sixth-grade event, Ellen DeGeneres applauded his talent and signed the artist as the first to her newly created record label, eleveneleven, a name inspired by Chance.

   His first album, Hold On 'til the Night, was then released in 2011 to a Top 40 chart debut, led by pop/rock-leaning single “Waiting Outside the Lines”. Extended play Truth Be Told Part 1 followed a year later, but it was not until releasing the R&B-influenced sophomore EP Somewhere Over My Head in 2016, which featured standouts such as “Hit & Run” and “Afterlife”, that his audience was finally able to put the pieces together of exactly the type of artist Chance wanted to be.

   Following solid, one-off single releases “Good As Gold” and “Low” in 2017, it was safe to assume that an official sophomore album was on the horizon. Instead, the then 19-year-old singer/songwriter chose to enroll at the University of Tulsa to pursue a degree in history. His main focus was clearly elsewhere. Until now.

   After dropping out of college and publicly coming out as a gay man via Instagram last year, Chance found a new appreciation for music and work on his "proper" debut album portraits officially begun. It’s out today. Following the carefree and mature “Twenty One”, the album’s official lead single “shut up” emphasized what maturity could do to one’s vocal chords, but also their life experiences and social understanding. Chance highlights those experiences with an eclectic array of genre influences and narrative songwriting skills that rival the best on the scene today.

   Lead single "shut up" finds the artist fixated on a summer fling. Self-described as having a tendency to talk too much in the beginning of a blossoming romance, the track tells a familiar story about the moment when traditional communication changes from words to something more non-communicative. With a standout chorus, detailing the artist's nerves and a fear of ruining something good by potentially saying the wrong thing, Chance admits that he might have found the ever-elusive "one". But first, he must overcome insecurities and an urge to resort back to damaging tendencies.

   Chance is still reeling from heartache and love lost on the smooth and seductive “bleed you still”, where the artist reassures his former fling they will forever remain an integral part of his being. Lost and experiencing difficulty trying to now just be friends, Chance is forced to control feelings of affection no longer being returned. “You'll be the oxygen I breathe, under the covers if you need, even if all your loving leaves, I'll bleed you still, I will,” he sings on the captivating chorus.

   Tipped during SXSW as the next album single, “yours” may sound crafted for a love interest on the surface, however, Chance sings of time and distance never affecting a relationship as a tribute to his friends back home. Via late night phone conversations while high, the artist reassures those close friends that he will always return, that the bond will never change, even though a sense of uncertainty creeps into the sincere vocal performance. 

   Following a “plains” interlude where Chance speaks of being severely disciplined by his mother, the reflective and strangely upbeat “west texas” details the advice, guidance and support he received from the most important woman in his life. “And it's so hard to imagine what I'll do without you here, as you gaze your eyes towards mine, tell me to wipe away those tears, you say Jesus loves you, always will, no matter what you did”. Through tears, during a time when they were not speaking, the artist never forgot the importance of their relationship. 

   “white roses” details the romantic breakup Chance unfortunately experienced last year, an experience the artist said he never had before. He was devastated. The piano-led, mid-tempo ballad highlights the juxtaposed feelings both parties have following the relationship end. While Chance has not been able to sleep since, his significant other is out again smiling with friends. The result is a raw portrayal of one dealing with the aftermath as fresh wounds barely begin to heal. 

   As Chance searches for the best strip club in Vegas on a “lights” interlude, the artist journeys into uncharted R&B/pop territory with the infectious “black on black”. Sensual and slightly explicit, Chance allows listeners a peek into his sex life and preferences as he sings of being drawn to confidence, cigarette scent and a nasty attitude. “Let's stay here for a while, you'll snap some Polaroids 'cause, boy, that's your style, you'll tell me that you want to see a little more, we end up back down on the floor,” he coos on the second verse.

   Originally released in 2017, an older song gets an update with “seasons nineteen”, a track inspired by a conversation with his mother as Chance was moving out of his childhood home. The new version does not rely too heavily on the piano as the previous iteration did, instead incorporating slightly more uptempo instrumentals. The artist sings of personal growth, no longer being a kid in others’ eyes, and experiencing the world on his own for once.

   Shared prior to the album release, “timekeeper” directly addresses the complicated breakup that has influenced a majority of the record. Wanting his former flame to remember the relationship just as he does, Chance reminisces on the good times together, of expensive and reckless date nights and the first night they had sex. However, things eventually turn sour, as jealousy and a failed engagement plan eventually lead to the end. Chance though, still misses him.

   “stand” is a rousing, piano-led effort that builds and builds with an emotive vocal performance as its foundation. Chance struggles with maintaining a relationship, the concept of “forever” and moving forward as he blames the inability to on the sins of his father that he has supposedly inherited. “I've got soul, but it's weak, it's aching, for I've been burnt one too many times, haven't said the right lines,” he admits on the second verse, praying that age makes one wiser.

   The project closes out with "lakeshore", older material Chance says he revisited and re-produced for the album. The artist sings of a temporary bond, one created while travelling. The pair share in happy moments, ones constrained by available time, but apparently a lasting impression has been made as each think toward the future. Sweet and sincere, the artist sings of not wanting the moment to end, a befitting send off as the production begins to fade.

   If the reason for creating portraits was to satisfy a self-described longing for redemption, Chance has effortlessly accomplished his personal goal with a proper re-introduction to soulful vocal talents and sharp, resonating songwriting skills. Now a young gay man, the artist has already survived his experience of fame at a very young age, rediscovered his passion for music, and endured, how successful is still to be determined, developing and losing a love close to his heart. And even though Chance says he never wants to sound too dramatic with his songwriting style, the new album is bound to receive deserved attention and respect for his unfiltered approach to storytelling, whether the story has a good or tragic ending. The road to this point in his career may have been bumpy, however, it should be smooth sailing moving ahead.

Tracks to Hear: "shut up", "bleed you still", "west texas", "black on black" and "stand"