The incomparable Richard Hawley, singer, songwriter and guitarist has accumulated a lot since the release of his last studio album. Further in 2019. That same year, a musical featuring songs written by Hawley and named after his 2012 album. Standing on the edge of the sky Opened at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield.
The show attracted rave reviews for its realistic depiction of complex social and political problems experienced by three families occupying a particular apartment at different periods over six decades. After selling out, the show moved to the National Theater in London and began running for six months at the Gillian Lynne Theater in London's West End in February this year. The show won two Olivier Awards in 2023: Best New Musical and, for Hawley himself, Best Original Score.
In June 2023, Hawley collaborated with film director Wes Anderson, along with his friend Jarvis Cocker, on Anderson's film “Asteroid City.” The song was “Dear Alien (Who Art In Heaven)” and it was shortlisted for Best Original Song for this year's Oscars.
This was followed by five acclaimed shows in September 2023, when Hawley, on guitar, joined singer-songwriter John Grant and paid tribute to Patsy Cline by performing her repertoire of classic songs. In October 2023, Hawley put together a collection of her songs, along with her longtime collaborator Colin Elliot. Now Then: The Best of Richard Hawley. It's a good starting point if you're not familiar with Hawley's impressive back catalogue.
Hawley's music cannot be classified into one genre or category. He has it all with ballads, rockabilly, country and blues. This is what makes it special. His music sounds like the kind of music your parents or even grandparents would listen to: it's sentimental and timeless. But it is also these same qualities that make Hawley different and compelling.
Hawley has successfully released brilliant songs for 25 years and his latest album In this city they call you love It's your 10th solo studio album and is dedicated to Hawley's childhood friend and former Pulp bandmate Stephen Mackey, who passed away last year.
The album gets off to an exciting start with the lead single, “Two For His Heels” (a reference to the card game Cribbage) with a more sinister undertone to the backstory than a simple card game as Hawley sings with a mix of menace. and melancholy. : “I gotta get to the top of that hill/Her daddy got drunk and wanted to kill/If she don't love me then no one will/It's one for the Jacks and two for her heels.”. It's an atmospheric low-blues rumble with a raspy distorted guitar sound that foreshadows a haunting, looping Bass Sixth riff. This song evokes Arctic Monkeys vibes, which isn't surprising since frontman Alex Turner has made no secret of his admiration for Hawley's music.
“Have Love” begins with spangled guitar notes set to the gentle rhythm of “La Bamba.” It's reminiscent of an Elvis Presley number in one of his movies (remember those hip movements, finger snaps, and crooked smiles on the girls?), but with a more contemporary feel.
The third song, and second single, is a marvel and the highlight of the album. “Prism In Jeans” is a fast-paced 50s song with guitar rhythms and Hawley's velvety vocals. The strings add more sweetness and it's wonderfully nostalgic. “Prism in Jeans” is classic Hawley. It's such a beautiful song that evokes his great love and inspiration for transatlantic rock and roll.
“Heavy Rain” slows down the pace a bit and is heavenly in its simplicity. Hawley's intention for this album was to put the focus more on his voice, give it prominence and take away the guitars. This song reveals her voice as pure gold. Her rich, baritone voice is like the sweetest honey, brimming with warmth and emotion. This is a lament of lost love. “Heavy Rain” is a metaphor for her sadness and her lyrics are tender loops of words: “In my dreams I tell you that / I always dream of you in my dreams”and then in the second verse: “This is where I always know to know that this is where I should be.”. When the strings enter the second verse, the effect is very moving. It's a beautifully orchestrated ballad with space created for mesmerizing guitar notes that heighten the melancholy.
“People” is a simple, sentimental tribute to his hometown with nods to the steel mill (where his father once worked), its hardy residents and its rivers, and it's the simplest song on the album: just Hawley and a guitar. The song also provides the title of the album in its chorus: “Well, I was born and raised by the river/Slowly it flows through the city of knives/Not far from the mountain that shakes/People work so hard and they stay all their lives/And the people in this city call us love /And the people in this city call you love.“
Almost all of Hawley's albums are named after areas of Sheffield, the city that created him. The city he loves. For example, “Lady's Bridge” is the oldest bridge crossing the River Don in the city, while “Truelove's Gutter” is the former name of Castle Street. “Sky Edge,” a residential area high above the city, gives name to his most psychedelic album to date. The city is never far from his thoughts and music and here it is celebrated in the song “People”.
“Hear That Lonesome Whistle Blow” is a classic country song. This could have been a recording made by any of the great country and western heavyweights. Listening to this is like stepping back into another era, conjuring up visions of smoky Western saloons filled with men in cowboy boots drinking whiskey from glass tumblers. Hawley's warbling, melancholy vocals are in perfect harmony with dusty guitars and vibrant key shifts.
The next two songs are located next to each other on the album and are connected by the word “deep”, but they are very different from each other, both in sound and theme. “Deep Space” takes first place and is the most rocking song on the album with thunderous musical arrangements. It's about understanding the need to escape the madness of this world sometimes, now more than ever, as “Deep Waters” explores gospel territory with its choruses. Hawley's voice is again front and center on this, calm and soothing with simple instrumentation.
“It's time for me to go down the river/It's time for me to turn towards the sea/It's time for me to go where I'm forgiven/It's time for me to be all I can be/It's time for me to be everything I should be.” . Perhaps in contrast to wanting to get away from it all in “Deep Space,” Hawley finds himself accepting where he is at this point in life and at peace with who he is.
“I'll Never Get Over You” is a gentle ballad of heartbreak and devotion with Hawley's wonderfully vulnerable voice: “Old trees are leaves of today/ This train takes me to the end/ I will never forget you” while richly textured guitars serve as mournful musical companions.
“Do I Really Need to Know” is a change of musical direction with a gentle lounge music beat, “harp”-like string percussion sounds, and soulful chorus repeats by backing vocalists consisting of former bandmate Shez Sheridan and Jarvis. Cocker. It's a song about a man who misses his ex-love and deceives himself that he's no longer interested: “And when the clock strikes ten, again/ I walk to a bar and I drink/ And I drink and I drink again/ So deep, until it works/ I'm lost in your world.” I like the way the lyrics blend with the light samba rhythms and it's a very well crafted song with its instrumentation, especially Hawley's bossa nova style guitar solo in the bridge.
Speaking of guitars, Hawley played almost all of the solos on three guitars: his father's old Gretsch and two Telecasters, one bequeathed by the late Scott Walker and the other a gift from his friend Duane Eddy, who recently passed away. “The album is definitely a family affair.” Hawley says.
“When The Lights Go Out” is dreamy and reflective with shimmering guitar strums offering a Mexican/country influence in harmony with Hawley's sincere vocals. There's something very human and meditative about this song and I think it's one of those songs where the meaning will be different for everyone. I think it's about being brave when left alone and trusting that in the darkest moments everything will work out. “You're not chasing me anymore/Your Holy Spirit won't cry when I walk past my door/When the lights go out/True love doesn't make a sound/There you go/There you go”
Hawley saves the best song for last. “'Tis Night” is an absolute gem and a perfect album closer. It is gentle, thoughtful and deeply moving. It's one of those songs that you want to listen to with the person you love, late at night, holding hands: “Soon it will be over/The time when we begin will begin again/Soon we will both be a little older and wiser/Oh, I don't think so.” so”.
When the strings arrive, they add intensity and sadness. I felt so moved in this moment, by everything: the brief passage of time, the longing for more time. The song instills many emotions. It's a relaxing serenade with Hawley closing the song with tenderness in his voice: “Tonight/Tonight/Be still/Be still/Tonight” – as if to Say, “Just enjoy the moment; it's what we have now.”
In this city they call you love does not disappoint. 12 standout songs that are among the best ballads Hawley has ever written and recorded. This album is a splendid addition to Hawley's other works. Hawley's music has always seemed out of time with current trends, but more than ever it feels like a breath of fresh air. It sounds better than ever.
In current times where people are feeling angry or desperate, especially now, on the brink of political change, this is an album to escape and relive memories of people or places. It is nostalgic, emotional and inherently romantic. Richard Hawley is one of the most extraordinary artists of his generation. By his own admission, he refuses to change to fit in, which makes him refreshing and authentic.
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