Review: Elles Bailey – Can’t Take My Story Away
Cooking Vinyl & Outlaw Music ( January 16th, 2026)
Reviewer – Paul Dubbelman
Following on from the success of her 2024 album ‘Beneath the Neon Glow‘ (review here) Elles Bailey releases her latest album ‘Can’t Take My Story Away‘ via Cooking Vinyl & Outlaw Records on January 16th, 2026.
To say that 2025 was a busy year for Bailey would be an understatement. Winner of the UK Blues Federation Artist of the Year Award, Touring (and duetting) with Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, and seeing ‘Beneath The Neon Glow‘ reach #12 in the UK Album charts are just a few of the highlights that have seen Elles come into much sharper attention from music moguls and the public alike. To then deliver an album of the quality of ‘Can’t Take My Story Away‘ will only enhance Elles’ presence in the music firmament.
Produced by Luke Potashnick and recorded with a stellar line-up of musicians separate from her touring band, this album gives deep insights into the Bailey psyche and can be seen as a journey through her evolution as an artist. Not all sunshine and smiles by a long chalk, ‘Can’t Take My Story Away‘ also explores some of the darker chapters of Elles’ life. That isn’t to say that it is a dark album, there is a lot of joy in the way these songs are delivered along with a quiet strength and a deep-rooted honesty that lightens the load.
The first single from the album, ‘Growing Roots‘ has a groove and swing to it, giving a feel-good feel to a love song about finding your person. ‘Growing Roots‘ has been playlisted on BBC Radio 2 and its funky beats is featured regularly on the airwaves. Like the other songs on the album, Elles’ gravel-soaked-in-honey voice is strong and to the fore, drawing you in and making you want to listen to more. ‘Blessed‘ continues that loving theme with its rich, velvety strings and softly swaying rhythm.
The title track, ‘Can’t Take My Story Away‘, originally written with Dan Bettridge, was reworked by Elles and Luke Postashnick to fit the vibe of this album. The song raises a glass to the times when things didn’t quite work out but somehow shaped the future. An uplifting view on life’s trials and woes driven by a combination Drum, Brass and Hammond and, of course, that voice – Strong, Rich, and full of Passion.
‘Better Days‘ serves as a moving tribute to Matt Long – Singer, Songwriter and Guitarist with the award-winning band Catfish – who tragically lost his battle with Cancer in October 2024. In Bailey’s hands the song acquires a funky groove enhancing its message of hope and better days to come. The track also features on the Tribute Album dedicated to Matt, ‘With A Little Help From My Friends‘, to be released in March 2026.
‘Angel‘ gives the listener a slice of pure Motown with its dynamic brass and the gospel-tinged Backing vocals. Written back in 2023 during a low point in Elles’ life, it was refreshed, revised, and with a new melody that give it an upbeat, celebratory feel.
The last three songs on the album take on a slower, more introspective tone, ‘Dandelion‘ talks to the resilience of the human spirit, ‘Tightrope‘ is Bailey laid bare, as she talks of her mental health challenges. Closer ‘Starling‘ is a stripped back piano number inspired by the death of a close friend.
‘Can’t Take My Story Away‘ is an absolute delight of an album. Rich orchestration, seriously sexy brass, all overlaid with Elles’ voice at its most powerful, expressive, best make this a disc that will be returned to the turntable or the cd player time and time again. The Album will be released on January 16th, 2026, with Record Store Shows in January and a full UK and Europe tour (With Elles’ regular touring band) from March to May 2026. The Album can be pre-ordered – here
Track listing:
- Can’t Take My Story Away
- Growing Roots
- Better Days
- Blessed
- Constant Need to Keep Going
- Take a Step Back
- How Do You Do It
- Angel
- Dandelion
- Tightrope
- Starling
