What a trooper (of the super variety) Luke Leighfield (rhymes with Lee uh field) is. He is a musician who has taken control of his own destiny through his own label, touring, building a vast social networking empire and being an all round good egg. He wisely involves his fans in the creation of his music, helping them to feel invested in his songs and ensuring their continued support. I continue to be amazed and impressed by his creativity, innovation and seemingly tireless energy in promoting his own music - and thankfully his new album is a right bobby dazzler. Read on my lovelies and drink in the wonder...
Luke Leighfield ~ New Season:
Have you got heart asked young Luke on his last album and judging by his latest effort, he certainly has. It's a somewhat more melancholy, reflective, contemplative affair but within that are moments of sheer poetry and undisguised musical beauty. Luke's skills as a story teller and craftsman of melodic magic continue to shine through - it makes for some achingly exquisite listening. The album kicks off with the somber plea to Slow Down. It's set around some genuinely gorgeous piano and an earnest, plaintive vocal from Luke urging the listener to take in the experiences that life brings us that are often missed in today's busy hustle and bustle world. The song is allowed to unfold at it's own pace, with some percussion being bought in around half way through the track until it crescendos into a anthemic, stadium bound epic towards the end. it's a template Luke will use to great success elsewhere on the album. The album's title track takes up the more energetic ending to the previous song to create an altogether more rousing affair. It takes a driving beat, crashing cymbols, some wonderfully intricate piano work and guitar licks that make me tired and exhilarated listening to them all at the same time. It's actually a great pop song that deserves a much wider audience - and the same can be said of 4m59s long It's You (same length as one of my fave all time songs Electric Youth by Debbie Gibson fact fans) which pops up next. It's a suitably ebullient song that celebrates that moment when you realise how ace someone actually is and you would like to get all snuggly with them. With it's driving rhythmic beat and soaring vocal, it's a winner from start to finish.
Elsewhere there is the languid ballad, Whispering, which is the musical equivalent of when you get lost in your own thoughts and you find yourself staring at a blank space on the wall that you can't tear your eyes from. It's totally mesmerising and lovely - not too dissimilar to one of the album's highlights - One Thing. Part of the lyrical content of this song deals with the things in the world that seem to continue to spiral out of control (despite all the reasons they should be under control, e.g. famine, etc) while linking that to that one person in your life that is your constant, your love, your soul mate. The one person who helps you cope with the day to day rigours of every day life. It's all set to a crashing backdrop of gorgeous piano, gentle harmonies, layered guitars and a stirring chorus that sends your soul soaring. Bring on that brilliant chanted rousing finale because it's genuinely showstopping and awe-inspiring.
The album all too soon draws to a close with a tri-fecta of diverse, perfect pop. Live For More is a fizzing, rock driven tune with inspiring lyrics, a feisty guitar riff and a plea to be somewhat better as a human race than we are. It reverses the pattern of building to an effusive finish, choosing instead to slowly temper things back a little and it's surprisingly effective. Garde Ta Foy s a piano driven, emotive tour de force. The first four lines of lyrics alone are a devstating emotional gut punch, exquisitely delivered with a hint of sadness but most importantly with a tinge of optimism. Luke's voice blends perfectly with the delicate piano line, like a brook laconically running over perfect polished pebbles and is nothing less than hypnotic. It quietly and elegantly builds the optimism, the 'firework display' until the refrain of "are you ready for a new season?" explodes into a cavalcade of guitars, synths and drums that lend to the swell of emotion you feel in line with the song. It's an epic song that deserves massive success. Utterly delightful. Do Not Settle seems like a coda to the 9 tracks that came prior, yet not out of kilter with the album. It's a tale of unrequited love set to dramatic crashes and guitar chords, an urgent plea, a desperate request.
A beautiful piece of work - thought provoking, creative, insightful and charming. Buy. Now.
(For more on Luke Leighfield's stunning New Season visit his twitter and his website).
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