Taller

Released in 2019, Taller marks a definitive turning point in Jamie Cullum's discography, arriving five years after his previous studio effort. Moving away from the 'jazz-pop wunderkind' label that defined his early career, Cullum took total creative control, writing or co-writing every track and recording much of it in his home studio and at the legendary Abbey Road. The album is heavily influenced by the soul and funk records of the 1970s, specifically the works of Sly & The Family Stone and Prince, which manifests in the album's gritty basslines and layered vocal harmonies. Lyrically, it is his most autobiographical work, tackling themes of height-related insecurity (the title track), the pressures of modern connectivity (The Age of Anxiety), and the struggle with vice (Drink). Critically, it was hailed as a 'reinvention,' with many noting that Cullum had finally found a sound that matched the maturity of his voice. It stands as a bridge between his jazz roots and a more experimental, art-pop future.