Passion Play
Mothland, 2021
8/10
Although you probably have never heard of the Canadian crooner and songwriter Kristian North, one listen of this new album and you certainly won’t forget his eclectic and charming approach, where retro, soft rock tendencies flirt with New Wave and disco, among many other sounds.
“Fantasy” starts the listen vocally strong amid some funk fun as playful pop ideas float around frisky percussion, and “Halfway To Heaven” continues the climate with soulful brass as a more gritty rock approach unfolds amid much warmth.
There’s just 8 tracks here, and each one is quite different. In the middle, “More Than Yesterday” is a dreamy, romantic excursion into ‘80s ideas, while “Shadow Of The Pyramids” displays soft buzzing alongside a neo-soul delivery that you can’t help but want to dance to. “Eye Of Love”, a particularly great song, then pairs acoustic guitar with deep singing as plenty of atmosphere enters an eloquent and addictive landscape.
The final two songs, “Genius Of Song” and “Tilted”, continue the diversity, where the former blends strategic keys and backing vocals with a sophisticated version of pop, and the latter exits radiating a swift, gospel influenced rocker that’s full of contagious energy.
A record that’s equally strong musically and lyrically, artists like Thomas Molander, Abigail Galwey and James Player, to name a few, lend a hand here, and they do a great illuminating North’s creative and alluring brand of pop song craft that can elevate any mood directly towards joyful.
Travels well with: Misty Coast- When I Fall From The Sky; Moonbeau- Moonbeau