FOLLOWING up an album that sold 11 million copies worldwide was always going to be a tall order for James Blunt. The former Army captain has spent the last three years trying to come up with songs to match the popularity of Goodbye My Lover or the ubiquit

FOLLOWING up an album that sold 11 million copies worldwide was always going to be a tall order for James Blunt.

The former Army captain has spent the last three years trying to come up with songs to match the popularity of Goodbye My Lover or the ubiquitous You're Beautiful. The result, new album All the Lost Souls, is a record made in America but, Blunt says, inspired by Mediterranean island Ibiza.

There's certainly a chilled out vibe to All the Lost Souls. Annie, Same Mistake, and 1973 are inoffensive without being particularly memorable. One of the Brightest Stars and Give me Some Love offer more upbeat moments, particularly the latter, with its rousing chorus of "I'll take everything."

Blunt's trademark vocal quality shines through as ever, but All the Lost Souls seems to lack the sparkle of its illustrious predecessor.

MATTHEW GOODING