Anvie Kay
Star Rating: ★★★★
Newton Faulkner’s fourth studio album has just hit the stores, and Studio Zoo is one to you need have on your iTunes playlist, in your CD racks and as you drive around in you car.
At The Seams – talks about a love that’s bigger than the trials of life. A ‘real love’ that surpasses all the ‘downs’ of life and finds the ‘ups’ no matter what. It’s a sweet song lyrically and simple musically.
Don’t Make Me Go There – A simple song which begs the listener not to take the persona into the light to uncover their insecurities. There’s a beautiful collection of string instruments in this song that makes you think of the movie ‘Once’. It belongs in one of those independent films with a simple yet beautiful story about growing up, falling in and out of love or even just experiencing a new country.
In My Hand – Surrealistic tones, both musically and vocally, this song really does feel like a trip through someone’s musings. It’s not quite eerie, but it’s not quite delightful either. It’s one that you unpack and analyse rather than sit down and groove too. I love it!
Indecisive – A little more playful than the previous songs, it focuses more on the vocals. It talks about the indecision that comes with love. This is my favourite song in the album. It’s simple; you can move your feet to it and even belt it out. Love, love, love it!
Innocent – Accepting the fact that he’s imperfect, the persona attempts to persuade his lover that there is not point loving him, because he’s ‘not innocent’. It’s an honest song, and one that you want to sing along to and bop your head to as well.
Just Outside – The guitar riffs in this song compliments the vocals beautifully. The song talks about a love that isn’t really working and moving everything that’s just not cutting it ‘just outside’ the love that’s currently binding their lovers together.
Lay Down – An ‘August Rush’ feel, this song about being there for someone and helping them cast their cares away, even just for a moment, and ‘it’ll be alright’. It’s a delicate, yet powerful song that makes you want to sing along.
Losing Ground – With broadcast-like vocals to open the song, this is another playful one that questions where the luck has gone, but at the same time, the persona can see the light. I love the clapping and the accompaniment in this song, they really complement the lyrics.
Orange Skies – Another simple song with a lot of heart, this one talks about horizons that beckon the persona to return. It’s a great song to bop your head to as well as join in the ‘Oh –oh-whoa-ohs’.
Plastic Hearts – Love the guitar intro to this song. Another one of my favourites, this song begs you to sway and nod your head along to the beat. It questions the reality of a relationship. Love it.
Treading Water – Almost meditative, this song is gentle in the accompaniment with simple strokes of the guitar and a continuous drum beat in the background. There’s a sense of losing ground and wanting to defy the odds, but they’re not quite making it.
Waiting On You – Picking up the beat again, this song has more of a country vibe to it. It’s a song from a father to a child. It’s beautiful and playful, and yes, another one of my favourites.
Where To Start – Finishing strong, this song talks about being ‘tired of love’ and telling the other person that they can ‘keep their love,’ because when it doesn’t work, it hurts too much. I love it.
Overall, Faulkner’s latest studio release is dynamic, eclectic and playful. I loved listening to each one of the songs, and as a whole, the album is pleasing to the ear. Kudos to Faulkner from this contributor, it’s a great album and it’s one that everyone will enjoy.
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