Having recently featured in our New Band Spotlight section, Dublin’s A.Smyth picked up attention from none other than Badly Drawn Boy. In the intervening weeks, his debut album ‘Last Animals’ has become greatly anticipated. It’s released Friday 19th February via Lover Records.
‘Last Animals’ will be available on his Bandcamp page.
Smyth’s vocals instantly draw the delicate genius of Elliott Smith to mind. The crispness of ‘Rainy Boys’ and the evanescence of ‘Say You Won’t Mind’ in particular recall Nebraska’s lost great. Neither lends themselves to parody though. ‘Rainy Boys’ roams picturesque scenery as a gang with Steve Mason clutched to their hearts. Whereas, ‘Say You Won’t Mind’ has a warmth and charm akin to King Convenience.
However, it would be amiss to focus on just this similarity. On ‘Yeah You Said’ and ‘Don’t Let Me Down’, Smyth taps into the heart and aching lustre of Jackson Browne with elegant, modern twists. The former, loaded with great piano hooks, traverses life, love, and meaning with splendour and freedom not seen in a generation. The introduction of distorted guitars and twitchy synths raises the title to the fore. A sense that, no matter how much we’re told about life’s simple beauties, a journey and struggle must be undertaken to discover this. Meanwhile, on ‘Don’t Let Me Down’, Badly Drawn Boy’s playfulness combines with the energy of The Shins to conjure images of youthful love affairs stretching across endless summers. Browne’s spirit arises once more during the solo. It blasts across the horizon briefly and intensely, as only young love can.
‘Last Animals’ begins to transcend its influences on ‘River’, ‘When It Calls’, and ‘Me and My Old Man’. ‘River’, pulls from Van Morrison, Smith, and Neil Young but, has a unique and mesmeric meandering quality. The ethereal ‘When It Calls’ has an effortless beauty that Ryan Adams tormented soul wishes it could still unlock. Then, somehow, Smyth has found a solo sound that nestles in-between the maverick blasts of Young and wrenching blues of Jack White. The closing stages, allow for one of the album’s genuine singalong moments but, as he decrees “I feel the river in your heart / I know the thunder because I feel it too”, you won’t be uplifted. Despite his pop sensibilities, images of lonely drunk nights howling these lyrics into the night will formulate.
Then, on ‘Me and My Old Man’, Smyth achieves something remarkable. Smyth lays his soul bare whilst reflecting upon his relationship with his dad. His smoky Ryan Adams-esque vocals carry this emotive tale to an almost Pixies-style rage. It is, during this rage that he introduces his father into the narrative. Recounting a troublesome night out and the anger upon return.
There is no doubting the quality of ‘Last Animals’. It’s awash with the characteristics of great songwriters past and present. Perhaps, at times his vocals don’t find their distinct voice but, to tales this good, does, should, anyone care? The vibrancy of ‘River’ or the romanticism of ‘Hero’ for example, should be enough to carry the weariest of souls through these trying times.