British Singer/Songwriter, James Bay, has been gaining attention for his first album Chaos and the Calm. He has also won award for British Critics’ Choice for the 2015 Brit Awards. Bay was also named No. 1 in the UK charts. Bay has also toured with Taylor Swift and Hozier. With a headlining tour along the way, you can find Bay performing with a guitar, with soul like vocals.

So, here are my favorite songs off of his new album, and what I think they mean:

3. Hold Back the River

The song is about these people who used to be close, but life had gotten to them and they grew apart. The river symbolizing that’s it’s difficult for them to get close again because of the ‘tide.’

“But now we call against the tide,” and also, “Hold back the river, let me look in your eyes.”

2. If You Ever Want to Be in Love

The title itself is pretty explanatory, it is about finding him finding someone from when he was in school, whom he was once close friends. He talks to the person like no time has passed, and starts to say that if she wants to ever fall in love, he can be that guy she falls in love with it. For me, it’s catchy and easy lyrics to remember.

“If you ever want to be in love, I’ll come around.”

1. Best Fake Smile

This song is about a girl who puts up a front for the world, and is beginning to break from putting up the front. He goes along saying, she doesn’t have to put her fake smile up anymore, and hold what she feels inside. This song is my absolute favorite because of the meaning, and how it can work for anyone.

“No, you don’t have to wear your best fake smile,” and  “don’t have to stand there and burn inside.”

The album is worth a look at, make sure to check him out.