Holding the success of a platinum début record, alongside an immediate No.1 UK chart position with ‘Write It On Your Skin’, Newton Faulkner is back with a new album- ‘Studio Zoo’ which is set for release on August 26th.
Making history with this album by live-streaming the recording process for 5 weeks, 24/7 from his home studio is just one of the sweet intricacies which encourage this album to flourish.
The in-depth, full band sound that Newton seems to perfect repeatedly strikes to kickstart this album with ‘Where To Start’. The predominantly harmony-based soul/folk quality lays excellently on a mask of rhythmic guitar picking. This track matures into a more upbeat piece as it goes on, before hitting a wall of softer vocals, matched by a shyness in the instrumentals.
Followed by the real mellow track- ‘Treading Water’, the instrumental factor of the beginning completely fades and leaves Newton’s lyrics skimming on a slight backing beat of a cajon drum.
As the album fills out in the middle, we are met by the first single from the album- ‘Losing Ground’- a definite top track for me. Showcasing a clear reminiscent blend of what Newton’s sound has always been, this song ties together the raw and harsh acoustic strums which form a foundation for everything else to build on. Although the tune of the song is quite upbeat, this is probably the most melodic track on the album, in that it flows with a mere pop structure attached to it.
With a sudden ending, the inevitably successful single takes us right up to another stand-out track in a mellow light- ‘At The Seams’. This is just a really beautiful track and clicks very in tune with the likes of the acclaimed ‘Dream Catch Me’ and ‘I Took It Out On You’. It showcases Newton’s massively respectable vocal range as it stretches to the peak in the chorus. This stripped back nature in his more mellow classics illustrate such a gentle rawness in the sound.
A slight Jack Johnson-esque tint concludes this album with ‘Orange Skies’. The friendly-tuned verses being a real singer/songwriter sound upon the track until the chorus breaks into a communal gathering of “ooooh” in harmony and Faulkner is brought back to his uniquely folk sound he firmly stayed true to throughout this album.
Generating a sound which finds itself a solid addiction for people, album after album, is a trait any musician would cling to; and Newton doesn’t look likely to lose his touch anytime soon.
Check out the first single from the album- ‘Losing Ground’ (Out on September 8th) below:
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