Louise Henry reviews the emotive release from Kevin Pearce
Dharma Records
Released: 08.12.17
You’ve heard the expression ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned from listening to Kevin Pearce‘s So On, it’s don’t judge an album by its first three songs. They’re certainly not bad, with Elbow-esque vocals and toe tapping guitars, but they’re just a little samey. Fast-forward to the aptly named Jump, and the pace changes a little, merging electric and acoustic sounds with haunting vocals. By track seven, we’re met with a funkier bass line, demonstrating Pearce’s diverse and layered sound.
Thematically, So On covers some ground; from tackling the housing crisis in Lucifer The Landlord, through to social expectations and mental health. Emotive, yet beautifully mellow, it’s certainly worth a listen, even those first three songs.