Tag: The Fray

A Light That Waits

Follow us on Social Media

THE FRAY – A LIGHT THAT WAITS – ALBUM REVIEW

What year is it? I can’t help but feel that I’ve travelled twenty years back in time as I watch new Scrubs on TV and stick a new album from The Fray on my record player (well in 2005 that would’ve been a CD player, but you get the point).

Whilst JD is back guiding us through life at Sacred Heart hospital, there is an obvious gap at the front of The Fray. Lead singer Isaac Slade announced his departure in 2022, so ‘A Light That Waits’ isn’t just their first album in twelve years but it’s also their first with guitarist Joe King on lead vocals.

This presents a mighty challenge for the band if they wish to capture our hearts again. The title-track and ‘Still Got You’ instantly give hope that they can do this however. They have always been a band that tug on your heartstrings and musically this album picks up where they left off.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘ICE COLD LAKES’

Find Full Pelt on YouTube!

They’ve decided not to reinvent the wheel and have stuck with what they know works and work it does. Emotion evoking choruses and easy listening melodies make the eleven tracks and thirty-five minutes flow nicely without causing any offence.

It’s always risky revisiting things we loved in our younger years as they just can’t win. If it’s a carbon copy than it feels like a cheap imitation, but if it dares change too much then it’s just not as good as the original.

With a cast of new characters alongside our favourites Scrubs has managed to straddle this line as well as anything has in the past. There lies the issue with this record though, it’s too safe. Whilst perhaps wise given the change of voice. But King handles his role very well, and that maybe makes this a missed opportunity to grow The Fray into 2026.

Diehard fans will find it easy to get behind this record, and old school fans won’t hate it. It’s unlikely though to generate the desired buzz. A good starting point though for the second coming of The Fray!

Purchase the album and support Full Pelt via the link

Share our review on Social Media

Check out our free weekly digital Magazine!