Mutemath ODD SOUL. Warner

I saw this USA band perform couple of years ago in Manchester and was impressed. ODD SOUL is the band’s third full-length release and as the album title implies it majors on soul sounds, but with a powerful rock twist. Arguably the most indicative tracks are the epic ‘Blood Pressure’and the highly original narrative ‘Tell Your Heart Heads Up’. There are much calmer examples also with the contemplative, gentle and melodic ‘All Or Nothing’. There’s also clever and surprising tracks like ‘One More’ which opens with ghostly, mesmerising electronics but soon opens out in rocky soul splendour. There’s much to like about this album that could so easily have misfired with its soul intentions.

Highly recommended.

4/5

Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo ALMANAC. Everyone Sang

A thoroghly likeable modern folk album with Barker’s fluid, easy vocals coming through loud and strong. The song writing is intelligent and at times memorable. I’m immediately impressed with the album’s second track, ‘Reckless’, which encompasses everything that’s good about this album. Lovely vocals and harmonies, strong melody, wonderful instrumental performances, meaningful lyrics and excellent production. ‘Dancers’ reminded me of an acoustic Beatles track during its opening passages, while ‘Pause’ is the standout track with its darker subtext, mesmerising slow pace, haunting vocal quality and telling vocal harmonies. This album gets better with each play and for lovers of singer/songwriters and the folk genre, this is pretty much a must-have.

4/5

Daniel Pearson SATELLITES. Saint In The City Records

Satellites’ is the debut album from UK singer-songwriter Daniel Pearson and features ten examples of alt. country and classic rock ‘n’ roll. Pearson has a pleasant, easy voice and here proves he can write a decent song. However, there’s not enough here to convince me that he’s up there with the very best UK singer/songwriter talent, as has been claimed by others. Opener ‘Masquerade’ is a pleasing solo acoustic folk-pop effort with strong melody and good lyrics. But it lacks the ‘wow’ factor for me. Next track ‘Wishing Well’ is better with very effective background instrumental, clapping sounds and backing vocals, however, it sounds initially very like the ‘Wishing Well’ from Phil Campbell/White Buffalo…

‘Tracks’ takes an alt-country route with guitars and Pearson making appropriate sounds. It works and is one of the the standout track here. ‘4th July’ and ‘Black N’ Blue’ liven things up with fast-paced rocky numbers boasting tangible melodies that win my vote. There’s little to complain about here but there’s also little to shout out from the rooftops about. But what do I know…

3.5/5