The idea of the difficult second album is a cliché because it’s true. It’s the moment of truth for an artist who’s had a hit with the songs they had years to write on their debut. Can they do it again under time pressure, and even better, showing maturity and musical development without losing whatever it was that made them great in the first place, and will people still care?
Depending on its relative success or failure, the second go-around can either set you up for a long career at the top or make it look like you’re already over. In the world of the sensitive male singer-songwriter, there are numerous examples. Look at Sam Fender stepping up to a prime Pyramid Stage spot at Glastonbury, Paolo Nutini going six-times platinum with his second, and George Ezra producing his biggest hit single on the second try. In contrast, Rag’n’Bone Man, Ben Howard and Tom Odell couldn’t maintain their early popularity.
