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Love this …

As we start a 4 month hiatus from new music and bring back the clock to albums that we personally love but have slipped by the other brothers on ThisIsNotHappening; I predict that the rest of you will find that picking something that nobody has but you’ll hang your hat on is a hard task. This month I’ve gone for a recent favourite in our house, Nick Mulvey’s “Wake Up Now”.

Nick Mulvey has a special place in my world. His first album had just been released in 2014 when Hayley and I first got together and his music was the soundtrack to many of our early memories. His first album came with a fair bit of accolade and had medium commercial success. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing him numerous times and with each time the crowds got bigger. His sound is along the lines of folk he has the ability to connect with people (especially live) and has built a dedicated fan base around the UK and the globe with his gigs routinely selling out.

In the September of 2017 he released his second album “Wake Up Now”. As for many of us allot can change in 3 years. Both internally and externally. I think we can all agree the world had changed a fair bit between 2014-2017 and his lyrics had become more reflective of world humanity and environmental issues. He also had his first child. All of us being fathers on this blog can agree that this impacts everything in your life; especially how we see the world that we now need to guide our children through.

I have read a few articles how Nick Mulvey is a very spiritual person which is very evident on this album. There are some pretty deep thoughts translated throughout  his songs. This mixed with his worldly view it is very evident that this album has a message; wake up now. Wake up to how we’re treating fellow humans and the planet we live on. Not many people are doing this these days it seems. Even Bob Geldof and Bono seemed to have piped down as of late. I like that Nick is doing this. 

When I first approached this album I was excited; but hesitant. I wasn’t fully ready for his message. The song that gripped me was “Imogen”. My daughter was in her first year and many of the lyrics hit straight to the bone. They still do every time is listen to it. 

Throughout the album there is a natural progression he has taken from his first album. The songs are more complex and layered. Many have been written to be played out live. I recently saw him perform this without his band. Just a man and a guitar and it was amazing. 

Why do I like Nick Mulvey and why did I choose this album? Good question. I guess it’s because he makes good music, music that makes you smile, music that makes you sing along… and isn’t you’re not careful music that may open your eyes and try to be a better person.

I’m not sure what the reaction will be from you all. It may be a little like marmite. Hayley likes it, the kids like it and so do I. It’s something that I can put on and everyone enjoys. Hopefully you’ll have a similar result. Enjoy brothers. 

It’s like the Wu song… without swearing so I can play it around the kids!

As 2018 draws to a close I present to you my yearly round up. First and foremost we have been picking music for each other for over 6 years which is crazy; all of our lives have gone through changes but month after month we present each other with fantastic music. On that note I really struggled this year with albums on a whole; not only what we each brought to the table on a monthly basis but also finding end to end albums that I loved. There was some fantastic music in 2018 but more from a singles aspect than albums in my opinion. Amongst allot of drab albums there were some fantastic stand outs for me though. Here are my favourite albums and singles of 2018 in no particular order.

Albums

Royce 5’9 – Book of Ryan

Evidence – Weather Or Not

Leon Bridges – Good Thing

Sean Price – Imperious Rex

Dan Mangan – More Or Less

Maribou – Kingdoms In Colour

Tunng – Songs You Make At Night

Masta Ace & Marco Polo – A Breukelen Story

Jon Hopkins – Singularity

Nas – Nasir

Singles

Moses Sumney – Rank & File

Childish Gambino – This Is America

DJ Koze – Pick Up

MorMor – Waiting For The Warmth

Aesop Rock – klutz

Maribor State – Nervous Ticks

Little Dragon – Lover Chanting

Planningtorock – Beula Loves Dancing

Defari – It’s Like I’m You

Smif N Wesson – Let It Go

Marlow – Lost Arts

Eminem – Killshot

 

Over to you brothers…

 

 

 

I loved the Rhye debut but then lost touch with them … Spotify told me to listen to this, so I did. And I love it. I don’t know the original but this track is a beauty all in it’s own right. Oooof. I am pretty blown away by this one.

I don’t hear nearly enough music like this.

 

 

I. Love. This.

If you know. You know …You know?

Back in the day (’84) they used to make tracks like this …

Proper.

… and it’s really good!

One that sounds like the Pixies;

One that sounds like …. the Pixies?

There are tracks that sound less like the Pixies too.

I am really enjoying it. Wish I’d gone to see them in Manchester now.