Tom Sanders is preparing for the release of his new album ‘Only Magic’.
Due out in December via Moshi Moshi Records, the solo album explores similarities around struggles, adventures in life and relationships in the modern world.
Speaking of the album, Tom said: “Making this record really took something out of me; I feel like I might have put too much into it.. But not sadness.. a kind of deep blue happiness.”
To celebrate the forthcoming album release, Tom shared with us 5 tracks that influenced ‘Only Magic’.
Sebastian Tellier – Look | Listen via Spotify
In the early days of lockdown when I was recording my album, I stumbled across a video posted by Sebastian Tellier performing some stripped-down versions of his songs on a Paris rooftop as the sunset. It was beautiful, he sang with passion and the emotion of the songs came across so well. His lyrics and delivery are simple and direct, and it reminded me that sometimes it’s good just to say whatever it is you want to say in the simplest possible way.
Solange – Cranes In The Sky | Listen via Spotify
This song is such a work of art for me! Sublime production with tonnes of space in the arrangement, allowing for the incredible vocal performance to take centre stage. I’m often attracted to songs for what has probably been excluded rather than what is actually there. It’s so easy to keep adding instruments and layers, especially when you’re working on your own, but it’s a skill to know when to stop and leave it alone.
James Blake – Retrograde | Listen via Spotify
When I first heard this song I was very jealous – I wanted to be able to sing like that. The guy has a voice which really speaks to me; it’s effortless and balances incredible control with emotion. It’s also another exercise in great minimalistic production. The whole song is just a big inescapable mood of mystery and beauty, and creating a mood in a song is everything.
Simon and Garfunkel – So long, Frank Llyod Wright | Listen via Spotify
I could have included any number of their songs in this list, but I chose this one because of its random topic: an ode to the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It’s refreshing to hear a song that isn’t about love and relationships! Paul Simon’s skill as a songwriter has always impressed me, not just the hits he wrote, but also more humble tracks like this. He sings with quiet sincerity in a voice which is very much his own and immediately recognisable. I love it when a singer lets his or her voice come out in its purest, most natural state with no pretence.
Vashti Bunyan – Train Song | Listen via Spotify
Prior to writing this album, I’d been watching a series on Amazon called The Patriot. It’s one of the saddest, funniest and darkest things I’ve watched. I loved it, and the title sequence music for the first season was this track. It gradually became embedded in my head, and I couldn’t stop singing it. It’s a mesmerising vocal performance, telling a story about a journey to find someone. With simple chord changes you can create complex emotions- that’s a lesson I keep coming back to.
For a taster of the album, you can listen to Tom’s new single ‘Little Human’ taken from ‘Only Magic’ via Spotify below: