ALBUM REVIEW: TOBY SEBASTIAN - EYES LIGHT UP (04/04/25)

Emotive, soulful, warm.

If you wanted to sum up Toby Sebastian's new album, this would be a good place to start. Eyes Light Up is an eleven track road trip through the various expressions of love, the jubilant, the sincere and the raw alike.

Although the album has taken two years, seeing Sebastian teaming up with long-time collaborator - Matty Benbrook at his studio in Bethnal Green, the back story of the album stretches much further, the completed work becoming the musical equivalent of the tip of an iceberg. Toby's soul lies beneath the surface in the songs and passion he has poured into this offering. It's easy to get a sense that he approaches albums not like a task but as a naturally occurring collection of his influences and flow of ideas. There is nothing forced here.

The joyful 'Heaven is the Backseat of a Rental Car' released as a single on 20 March is a real highlight, an optimistic, light-hearted romp through hazy summer days.

In fact, the whole album is a perfect soundtrack for someone who is looking to romanticise their life this summer. Listen to 'Light Years' while staring into the sunset after a blistering day on the beach. Dance with a loved one to 'Oona' in a sudden downpour. The album flows from one song to the next maintaining the heady heights of a blissful summer of love.

The title track 'Eyes Light Up' serves as a tying together of the overall vibe, sweetly executed and sincerely delivered.

Although Sebastian has released a steady stream of music over the years, Eyes Light Up is his first full album since 2013's Into The Light having filled his time with his other passion - acting. Taking on significant roles such as Trystane Martell in Game of Thrones and a lead roles of both Andrea Bocelli in 'The Music of Silence' and Andre Agassi in 'The Perfect Match'. Sebastian is seemingly incapable of sitting still and instead spends his time creating, honing and developing his crafts.

'Why Did You Leave', arguably the most soulful track, invokes a gentle sway in a hammock with a view and the album's closing track 'Will You Be... My Wife' a candid insight into Sebastian's heart and motivations behind his most recent writing.

This album truly is for the lovers, the sweet summer children and anyone looking for a musical mood lift.

Eyes Light Up was released on April 4th, 2025. Listen now on all streaming platforms and catch Toby Sebastian at Oxford’s O2 Academy 2 on April 26th, and London’s 100 Club on April 30th.