2025 was a remarkable year for Elles Bailey, touring with Rag ‘n’ Bone Man over the summer and joining him on stage to duet ‘Anywhere away from here’ as well as a major run of festival appearances and even more awards. Not one to rest on her laurels, 2026 sees the launch of her latest album, 'Can’t Take My Story Away', and a Winter tour in support of the record.
The first thing that strikes the listener about ‘Can’t Take My Story Away’ is the shift in style away from the regular blues rock sound Bailey is best known for to the stripped back soulful sound that echoes the halcyon days of Stax and Muscle Shoals. This shift in sound suits Bailey’s gravel edged voice perfectly and in conjunction with Luke Potashnick of The Temperance Movement on production duties, the record is a sign of an artist who is comfortable and secure in her musical career.
Among the many highlights on the record, stand out tracks include the funk jazz infused ‘Growing Roots’, ‘Angel’ with it’s spine tingling horn solo, The soulful ‘Take a Step Back’, which could sit easily on any Supremes record, and heartfelt tribute to an old friend, ‘Better Days’.
Bailey is already know for her composing skills, but her decision to co-write the majority of the songs the record with Luke Potashnick is smart one, as there isn’t a single filler in the collection.
Across ‘Can’t Take My Story Away’ Elles Bailey shines brighter than ever on an album that is sheer joy from start to end.