Album Review
Nic Hessler - Soft Connections
4 StarsAn accomplished tale from a troubled artist.
Although still at the sprightly young age of twenty-three, Nic Hessler has gathered enough experience some would say to last him a lifetime. Having signed to revered US indie Captured Tracks in 2009, off the back of two singles, the bright-eyed Californian went under the guise Catwalk, everything seemingly falling into place for him and his hazy, curious lo-fi pop output. Yet whilst writing for his first record, the song-writer was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, leaving him unable to continue work on his record until now. Having had to spend that time away, Hessler has returned a man, sounding free of obstacles and matured by the events in his life. This doesn’t just come across in his lyricism, but sonically also.
Through the stressfully prolonged time it has taken for Hessler to be able to release ‘Soft Connections’, the songwriter sounds vitalised. The indistinct showers of haze that drove 2010 single ‘One By Words’ has been dramatically transformed, displaying sharp clarity through power-pop progressions. Opener ‘Feel Again’ almost pays tribute to Hessler’s past form as Catwalk with a building 70s synth drum, before completely shedding the image with an enveloping, fuzzy-guitar line and a vocal that feels natural and crystalline, the singer finally finding comfort in his own skin. The repeated refrain of “I feel again” almost confirming it.
While the album holds a strong-element of cohesiveness through its tone, each single stands on its own with ease. The double-salvo of ‘Hearts Repeating’ and ‘Expel Me’, forgetting its slight saccharine melody and gooey vocal performance that remains throughout the record, are encompassing. Without sounding too contrived, Hessler’s songwriting is a passionate compliment to 70s FM and 90s mop-top Britpop, an accomplished tale from a troubled artist.
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Nic Hessler shares lead single from debut album
‘Hearts, Repeating’ is the first preview of ‘Soft Connections’.
14th January 2015, 12:00am
Featuring SOFT PLAY, Corinne Bailey Rae, 86TVs, English Teacher and more!