Ghostpoet - Off Peak Dreams review • DIY Magazine

Obaro Ejimiwe’s been teasing at new material for months, posting snippets, sharing stories and ensuring fans that, like them, he can’t wait for his new stuff to be out there either. The time has now arrived, and with the first real taste of new album ‘Shedding Skin’, it’s clear that Ghostpoet hasn’t lost his poetic stride or train of thought in the time away. ‘Off Peak Dreams’ is as focused, warm and instantly connectable as anything he’s put his name to in the past.

Ghostpoet’s formula has always encouraged you to ride along with him, and nothing’s changed in regard to the familiarity of his accounts. It’s down the pub chat taken to a new level - talk of ‘mugs of tea’ and ‘bacon sarnies’ mumbled, yet remaining forever on point. The new arrangement, a more traditional guitar-bass-drums affair, means that there’s more space for these reflections to breath without the effected vocal flips and whatnot. It’s no drastic change by any stretch, but the subtle evolution of his artistry over the previous two records has continued pushing towards the organic. Amid the piano chords and tight but almost noodling, gorgeous bass parts, Mr. Poet takes stock of his gripes with everyday life but emerges to find a positive spin. Concluding that “Life’s alright I guess if sweetened up”, ‘Off Peak Dreams’ is a returning statement that leaves Ghostpoet’s own tunes sweetening the glum everyday monotony that he bemoans once more.

Tags: Ghostpoet, Reviews, Listen