Currently starting a warm-up UK mini-tour ahead of this autumn’s main event, Sheffield’s favourite workaholic troubadour is back with album number eight. If you also include the handful of film scores, a mini album and a couple of live releases, not forgetting a ton of guest appearances, we’re talking a pretty prolific return for someone about to enter their third decade as a solo artist.
‘Further’ also sees Hawley looking to spread his wings a little, his first long player named without any connections to his beloved Steel City. Clearly at ease within his 52 year-old self, his creative flames showing no sign of dimming, a continued knack for penning beautifully formed tunes appealing to both punter and pundit alike, sure to continue with yet another sumptuous collection of lush, expansive yet concise songs that disarm and thrill in equal measure.
‘Further’ oozes painstakingly honed, pure song writing craft from every pore throughout its 40 minutes, not a second wasted, be it on straight ahead up-tempo rockers including feedback tinged opener, ‘Off My Mind’, somewhat of a throwback to Hawley’s Longpigs period. The wistful voluminous country of ‘Midnight Train’ and title track ‘Further’ complete with deft touches of string and pedal guitar envelop and soothe whereas the psych pop of ‘Alone’ makes the listener contemplate their insignificance, merely a speck of dust in the vast vacuum cleaner bag of our universe.
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| Photo: Chris Saunders |
Notwithstanding, it’s the tender moments on ‘Further’ that prove the highlights, profound sonnets such as the shimmering ‘My Little Treasures’, kind of a tribute to his late father and over a decade in the making. The equally seductive ‘Not Lonely’ touches on self-imposed solitude, whilst the benign waltz of ‘Emilina Says’, an ode of sorts to Miss Pankhurst, is a touch redolent of the Chris Bell classic ‘You and Your Sister’.
Closer ‘Doors’ touches on the mind altering properties of recreational pharmaceuticals and likewise, ‘Further’ certainly leaves you on a high and wanting more of this all killer no filler material that stands every chance of garnering Hawley a third Mercury nomination.
Words - Mike Price
Richard Hawley official
'Further ' is out now on BMG. Buy