Andy Smythe, a songwriter from London , has produced something that is truly endearing in his song, Emergency, a song that seems to have been discovered by chance in the untold history of the British pop. As the first single of his upcoming album Quiet Revolution, this song is an easy way to cross eras, combining the melodic narration of Neil Young with the classic harmonies of The Beatles and being encased in the modern production, which does not seem to be imposed at any point.
The first thing that strikes one is the whimsical nature of the song. The warmth of Smythe voice is characteristic, his English voice that is often associated with Nick Drake with a hint of the vibrato of Buckley does not suppress the emotional appeal of the song but adds a very playful effect to it. It has a weird English pop/rock sensibility that reminds one of The Proclaimers meeting Chuck Berry, which is a strange combination but somehow makes a genius.
Smythe has a consummate multi-instrumentalism in the instrumentation. He plays guitar, piano, bass and organ himself, with Paul Challenger on lead guitar, whose funky guitar playing brings real fire. The guitar melodies are nostalgic and still command a modern touch and the production hits that fine line between cosiness and genuineness – which is polished enough not to seem forced, but rough enough to seem like it.
Smythe has a clear knowledge of his trade after eight albums in twenty years and more than a thousand performances in the UK alone. He is influenced by the legendary songwriters – Dylan, Cohen, Lennon/McCartney, but has unique melodic and lyrical form that goes beyond mere imitation. Vocals and guitar interplay dynamically and form a listening experience that is worth the attention.
The success of “Emergency” lies in the fact that it is effortless although there is clearly craftsmanship. It is a musician who is trying to find renaissance in great British songwriting, who makes contacts with the ordinary man by creating a bridge between the past and the present in the form of carefully crafted, beautifully performed pop that is nostalgic and at the same time absolutely present. Snappy, funny and truly memorable.
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