Aching, raspy love songs from pop’s all-conquering underdog

Though West Lothian-raised singer Lewis Capaldi’s public persona is predicated on bone-dry self-deprecation (this, after all, is the man whose early promotional activity offered him up as "the Scottish Beyoncé"), it is heartfelt sincerity that gives his music its potency. Breakthrough single “Someone You Loved” is perhaps the purest expression of this: a gruffly melodic howl of heartache, driven forward by irresistible skeletal piano. But Capaldi—as especially proven on 2019 debut album Divinely Uninspired To a Hellish Extent—is no one-shot songwriter. Early cut “Mercy” crackles with bluesy, garment-rending yearning, “Before You Go” adds urgent, finger-plucked guitar and “Hold Me While You Wait” reveals that this deadpan king of the internet may, plot twist, be the most affecting gospel singer this side of Glasgow.