Singer-songwriter David Gray has never been one for stadium rock. Unbeknownst to most, Gray has written and recorded six albums since he began his career. He always skimmed the edges of the popular until his fourth album, “White Ladder,” was released in March of 2000. Songs such as “Babylon,” “Please Forgive Me,” and “Sail Away” introduced Gray into the mainstream of American pop. His ethereal brand of guitar rock was a welcome break from a lot of the pseudo pop-punk that was dominating the airwaves at the time. His next album, “A New Day at Midnight” didn’t offer the same amount of commercial success as “White Ladder.” Yet, with his new album, “Life in Slow Motion,” that all seems likely to change.

“Slow Motion” is Gray’s first foray into the kind of sweeping, emotional epics that make Coldplay so popular. While there is no lack of the beautiful ballads that made him so embraceable, “Slow Motion” is really his first all-encompassing, evenly balanced, grown-up album. The first single, “The One I Love,” is lyrically solid and intelligent in a way a lot of his past works weren’t. When Gray sings “There’s things I might have said, only wish I could. Now I’m leaking life faster than I’m leaking blood,” the words take on a new level of intensity. The power of Gray’s slightly imperfect voice is the driving force behind an upbeat and slightly offbeat love song.

Those looking for a familiar David Gray won’t be disappointed either. “Slow Motion’s” final track, “Disappearing World” is a piano ballad in the style of “This Year’s Love.” Yet, “Disappearing World” is a deeply moving look at living in love in world that just keeps changing. The song begins in signature hushed Gray tones, yet explodes suddenly with a melodic rock breakdown in the tradition of 80’s arena rock, before ending just as it arrived. This kind of brave composition style is something many never expected from Gray, but most should be thrilled to experience.

“Life in Slow Motion” is a huge departure from what once made David Gray so popular, and yet, it is much the same. With “Slow Motion,” Gray has embraced a new form that suits him quite well, but more than that, proves that he is capable of being inventive. “Life in Slow Motion” is the album David Gray was born to write.