One of the things that I’d like to think that makes this
blog stand out is the sheer variety of music that gets featured. It often seems
like ‘right’ thing to say but I will listen to ANYTHING. That doesn’t mean that
I will like it or that it will definitely get featured in some way but if I think
I can give an informed opinion or critique on it then it will get The Musical
Outcast treatment. Simple as that. For example yesterday I reviewed the
brilliant new single from heavy rock/metal band In Search Of Sun and today I bring
to you my thoughts on the brand new EP from singer/songwriter Josh Curnow.
Since the release of his debut EP Me v You last year the Josh Curnow bandwagon has steadily been
gaining members to the point where it now looks like rush hour on the tube.
Packed to the rafters, full of awkward touching and all a bit sweaty. Curnow is
an absolutely prolific live performer, gracing more stages than Katie Price has
had husbands, but somehow he has found time to put together a brand new EP
which dropped this earlier on this week (16th June) called Phase Two and here is what yours truly made
of it.
Opener ‘I Feel Alive’ is not only the EP’s lead single but
probably also my favourite track on the entire project. As singles go it’s
pretty much perfect. It’s really smooth and easy listening which makes it
perfect for the radio as well as having a brilliantly catchy chorus, perfect
for those sing along moments when you think no one is listening. Part of the
tracks success is down to Curnow’s delivery of the lyrics in the verses which
really helps the track skip along and build towards that chorus. Ed Sheeran
often does something similar, and yes I do mean that as a compliment.
The tempo kicks up a gear with the gloriously upbeat ‘I’ll
Drink To That.’ This ode to everyone’s favourite local pub gives the Cornwall
native a chance to display a more playful side, which he does to great effect.
The track also shows off Curnow’s song writing ability with the brilliant
lyric;
It’s another great
night for my past to keep.
I just think that is a brilliant little turn of phrase. It
caps off what really is a great track. Last week I met back up with some old
friends and we had a night soaked in nostalgia and alcohol, the kind of night
the track describes, so this one really brought a smile to my face. I won’t be
on my own there I promise you.
The piano led intro on ‘The Waiting Game’ is so familiar it’s
actually painful, but I just can’t place it. Either way this couldn’t be more
of a contrast to what went before it, we are firmly in heartfelt ballad
territory here and being the soppy git that I am it pulled me right in. The
track is a perfect showcase for Curnow’s brilliantly sincere and heartfelt voice
as it takes centre stage over the top of the emotive yet understated
instrumentation.
One of the great things about this record is that it has a
fantastic ebb and flow, and that continues with ‘Chasing You Down Memory Lane’
as the tempo picks back up once more. This track is a slight shift away from
the ‘one man and a guitar’ style which characterised the first half of the
record as things head in a rockier direction. The way in which Curnow carries
this off shows that he is far from a one trick pony and a‘rockier’ experiment
may not be out of question in the future.
Penultimate track ‘Take A Walk’ suffers from having to
follow what has been thus far an incredibly high standard. Don’t get me wrong
the track is fine and the upbeat whistle will get stuck in your head but there
is just something missing. There isn’t quite the same replay value as there is
to the other songs on the EP and that little bit of gold just isn’t quite
there. It’s not that this is a bad track it’s just a track that is a victim of
its creators own success.
‘Fond Of You’ rounds the EP off with aplomb. This heartfelt
ballad pushes all of the right buttons, as Curnow’s delicate delivery of his
own heartstring tugging lyrics really hits the spot. It’s a fittingly high
quality finish to a record that oozes star quality.
Phase Two is
simply put, an absolute triumph. Great song writing, great vocals, and the
production is polished to perfection, but most of all it just has something.
That unquantifiable something that every music fan understands. You can’t put
your finger on it but there is just SOMETHING which elevates this project above
its competitors.
I mentioned earlier
the fact that the Josh Curnow bandwagon is fit to bursting point and I wanted
to know what all the fuss is about; now I just want to know if there is room
for one more.
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