Danny Bryant: Nothing Left Behind Review

The British guitarist and singer-songwriter, Danny Bryant returns with a brand new album titled Nothing Left Behind. Released via Jazzhaus Records on February 6th, this album represents the most personal chapter of Bryant’s career so far, touching on topics of rehabilitation and change. In the artist’s own words: “This isn’t a departure from what I’ve done before. It’s an evolution. The band’s sound has developed, and so has the songwriting. There are a few surprises people won’t have heard from me previously – new facets that have grown naturally from what I’ve always done, without losing sight of it. It’s a step forward, a conscious shift that remains grounded in my roots.”

The album hits hard right from the start with “Tougher Now”. It’s a punch-in-the-face, Walter-Trout-influenced blues rock banger featuring killer bass guitar and drums pumping energy, cool effects on the vocals adding more colour to the mix, and a melodic guitar solo delivered with soul. Continuing on with the upbeat, driving rhythm, “Not Like the Others” adds wonderful contrasts by utilising different guitar sounds: distorted riffs and clean verses. “Enemy Inside” is the album’s first ballad, driven by a crystal clear piano on top of a ghost-note sprinkled drum beat. There’s something calming yet haunting in the harmonic progression of this tune. Everything pauses for a moment apart from a soft piano, allowing the listener to take a breath before getting blown away by the soaring guitar solo – powerful stuff! “Swagger,” on the other hand, is a shuffling tune built upon a dirty riff and a cowbell-infused drum beat. Wah-drenched guitar takes over for the solo, adding to the sultry nature of this track.

Bringing the pace down is an introspective power ballad titled “Redemption” – one of Danny’s personal favourites from this album. “Three Times as Hard” brings back the classic blues rock sound with the shuffling rhythm and mountains of guitar dirt. This track sounds like something off the 1989 Roadhouse soundtrack. Strong Texas Blues influences in this song (one of my personal favourites). This is followed by a complete surprise, a Bruce Springsteen cover “Nothing Man” which is backed by “Missing You” that further nurtures that mellow and intimate vibe. “Lover Like You” reintroduces the heavier drum beat and mean-sounding guitars, firing things up again, before dissolving into a slow-burning major-key ballad “Just for You”, with beautifully warm guitar tone accompanied by a soothing Hammond. The band concludes the album with an atmospheric instrumental track labelled “Heatwave Heartbreak”.

The overarching aim for Nothing Left Behind has been to create something that feels and sounds alive – something vivid that will breathe and carry that live-performance energy and the five-piece band led by Danny Bryant has certainly managed to achieve that goal. The whole album feels organic, the atmosphere is warm and intimate, the energy is raw, and the musicianship top notch. Danny and the band blend multiple genres on this album, however, they still manage to pull it all together into a cohesive unit. Great record!

The Review: 8.5/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Tougher Now
– Redemption
– Three Times as Hard

The Big Hit

– Three Times as Hard