Singer / Songwriter Darren Hayes who sold millions of records worldwide between 1997 – 2001 as one half of the multi – platinum duo Savage Garden (with Daniel Jones) and in 2004 came out his second solo effort after 2002’s ‘Spin’.

Most of the tracks on this album were recorded in a bedroom that also doubled as a state of the art recording studio. The album delves into new ground and is a departure from Darren’s earlier works making it very autobiographical, psychologically complex and containing deeply personal subject matter which many fans may find hard to digest.

Most tracks on the album are mid tempo like the first piece Darkness which states that our greatest fear is the act of becoming the very thing we fear most, while Light shows Hayes having a dialogue with God. The album’s level of heart – wrenching vulnerability continues in Dublin Sky where Hayes plaintively questions the universe with wise words such as… ‘How many dreams have I left deserted? / How many hopes have been diverted?….

Moving to the slightly uptempo side we have the inspiring Unlovable catchy, though its the lyrics that make it one of the standouts. Another great piece is Pop!ular a club friendly piece makes you want to stand up and wiggle you hips, with the same for I Forgive You a pretty punchy eerie piece with a euphoria of a medium pitch. In the same vein we have Love and attraction and the title of the album coming in the catchy I like the Way.

Interspersed with keyboard stabs and a brimful of electronica from hardcore underground electronic artist, Robert Conley running right through, there’s also elastic bassline at times coupled with Hayes vocals being the finer points on the album.

Hayes shows more of his slow side on the album, continuing with the woozy down tempo vibes of Sense of Humor that has atmospheric synth washes here and there. There’s the very neat Ego with its satisfying lyrical boundaries high on musical clarity. You could give a miss to Hero, Void, and Feel that are totally unimpressive.

Hayes tries his best to get catchy lyrics; sweet love tunes, but sadly slips here and there making him a borderline write-off. ‘The Tension and the Spark’ is an interesting experience of what Darren has to say; it doesn’t deserve a big applause, but a single audition. Lyrics included.

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira