Gavin DeGraw returns with a new album that picks up where his acclaimed debut, Chariot, left off. The songs lace together intimate piano lines with gently swept guitars as the singer continues to mine the terrain of love and heartbreak. The tone remains hushed and personal, with tendrils of nostalgia circling melodies that stay close to the heart. For listeners who prefer the romance-driven sensibilities found in late night television dramas, particularly popular serials on The CW, this collection offers a familiar emotional terrain delivered with grown-up ease and concise craftsmanship. Yet casual listeners seeking a more upbeat or radio-friendly pop-rock experience might find the tempo and mood a little samey after a while. The tracks are carefully arranged to emphasize the singer’s conversational voice, the kind that invites listeners to lean in and listen to every whispered confession. The production favors clean arrangements, with restrained percussion and subtle strings that support the storytelling rather than shout over it. Lyrically, the material continues to probe the fragility of romance, the promises hard-won and sometimes broken, with a voice that conveys vulnerability without resorting to melodrama. The overall effect is one of late-night sincerity: the kind of music that feels earned rather than manufactured, and that might reward repeat listenings as new nuances emerge with each chorus and bridge. The album does not chase trends so much as it refines a timeless singer-songwriter ethic, blending pop accessibility with the emotional gravity of classic ballads. Some listeners may wish for a few more dynamic shifts in tempo, a moment of triumphant surge, or a playful turn to offset the otherwise steady emotional current, but the collection mostly succeeds in creating a cohesive mood that lingers. In the end, the verdict is nuanced: this is more about the suggestion of love than the celebration of it, a cautious but enduring appeal that will likely resonate most with longtime fans and those who appreciate intimate storytelling. If the listener enjoyed this, they might also gravitate toward Kate Voegele’s Dont Look Away, an album that shares the same spirit of reflective storytelling.