In No Particular Order: The Return To Human Connection (11/06/20)

At the risk of being cheesy and unnecessarily sentimental…

This week’s In No Particular Order is one that revolves around human connection and the emotions that are brought on from our relationships with one another. Canadian singer-songwriter Donovan Woods’ new album Without People, British indie pop duo APRE‘s dance-hungry album Always In My Head and Welsh singer-songwriter Novo Amor‘s Cannot Be, Whatsoever explore those universal moments – plus they all happen to be my favourite picks of the week!

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Donovan Woods – Without People

8/10

Singer-songwriter/Folk pop

The strength of Without People is actually due to “the people”, due to its collaborative spirit and strong connections. Donovan Woods worked with a handful of songwriters and musicians to build his 14-track, pandemic-born record; his team of Katie Pruitt, Ed Robertson (Barenaked Ladies), Tucker Beathard, Ashley Monroe, and Thomas Finchum collaborated over the internet and from their respective workspaces, created a record that captures the yearning for human connection in 2020, but without referencing the world’s mess. Instead, it’s built around memories and stories that remind listeners of what has been taken for granted and those moments that truly only occur face-to-face.

Woods’ heartfelt and melancholic vocals shape each song with a recognizable familiarity, from soft whispering over an acoustic guitar to rugged, slow-burning singing about the simple, yet complex moments in relationships. Fresh beginnings on the bursting country-pop hit “Clean Slate”, or patience and empathy on “She Waits For Me To Come Back Down” make for strong moments on the record. Even the more fleeting times of ending love come to life on “Last Time I Saw You” with an ex stopped at party, or coming to the realization together on “Grew Apart”. The humanistic and relatability of the record’s soft spots are translated into genuine empathy, as Woods makes it easy to slip into each track and its narrative.

Not only is it a wonderful humanistic record, but the strong songwriting foundation is executed wonderfully by Woods and friends, making for something heartfelt and sincere.

Notable tracks: “Clean Slate” // “She Waits for Me To Come Back Down” // “Grew Apart”

APRE – Always In My Head

7/10

Indie pop / Indie rock

Alternative pop rock duo APRE have gradually been taking over the world with their infectious and vibrant blend of electro-pop, new wave, and indie rock. With a handful of EPs under their belt since emerging in 2018, the pair of Charlie Brown and Jules Konieczny have shared their debut full-length Always In My Head, gathering some of their best work to date.

Driving synths and colourful hooks make up the bulk of the record; opener “Bad Boys” and hit singles “Without Your Love” and “Live It Up” being strong examples. While the recipe is simple, APRE manage to create something larger than life with the compositions. Synthesizers change style and pace for hook-filled moments, such as on the blooming bridge of “Always In My Head” or the irresistible chorus of “Live It Up”, and the ’80s-new wave “Is That Really What You Live For?”. Album finisher “Grab My Hand” is the most unpredictable, with its deep, brooding opening before switching into an ethereal and future-pop conclusion, making for one last taste of APRE’s engaging songwriting.

Despite its self-inflicted-anxiety name, the heart and spirit of Always In My Head is in the lighthearted moments of life. It’s a brightly coloured reminder to find moments to dance and enjoy the vibrancy and feel-good energy of indie pop.

Notable tracks: “Without Your Love” // “Live It Up” // “Always In My Head”

Novo Amor – Cannot Be, Whatsoever

8/10

Indie minimalist folk

Welsh multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Ali Lacey is better known as Novo Amor. Following a break-up in 2012, Lacey found a “new love” for music and has not looked back since. The 29 year old musician has released his third studio album this weekend, Cannot Be, Whatsoever, continuing his soft-spoken yet evocative sound. With an uncanny resemblance to Bon Iver through his effect-driven guitar sounds and breathy vocals, Lacey manages to find an equally as powerful voice and sound for himself that borders between cinematic and personal reflection.

The ebb and flow of his songs help build emotion and sincerity in grandiose doses. Opener “Opaline” with its colourful piano chord foundation starts the album on a strong foot as he works through heartbreak before a big finish. Similarly, on “Decimals” and “No Plans”, Lacey takes on complex and puzzling emotions that swell into full band arrangements.

Heartbreak and lost love come into play numerous times on the record, especially on the “Fix You” style “If We’re Being Honest”, “Keep Me”, and the aforementioned “Opaline”. Even the instrumental interlude “Statue of A Woman” comes together cinematically, layering together experimental instrumentation that would sit well in an indie film soundtracked by Sondre Lerche.

On the surface, it’s easy to compare Novo Amor’s work to Bon Iver; however, Cannot Be, Whatsoever is something significant and personal, separating the two by Lacey’s open vulnerability and more homegrown approach.

Notable tracks: “Opaline” // “No Plans” // “If We’re Being Honest”