Style: Bluesy pop; compare to Ray LaMontagne, Eric Hutchinson, Jason Mraz
Top tracks: “Part the Clouds,” “Just a Heartbeat,” “How Sweet It Is”
Nightlights is Needham’s third full-length album, and it’s got him thinking about what’s important. While his lyrics aren’t terribly thought-provoking, they communicate simple truths about humility; in one song, he asks God to “make me a singer that is unsung.” Another song celebrates his wife, Kelly, whom he praises with upbeat jazz-pop tunes and a fantastic cover of Marvin Gaye’s “How Sweet It Is” (later a No. 1 hit as performed by James Taylor). While a less polished production with a bit more room for improvisation may have suited Needham’s soulful sound, his bluesy arrangements are beautifully crafted and his lyrics sincere.
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