Alexis Gerred steps briefly away from TV and the West End for this, his debut album as a singer and songwriter. Sweet Angel begins the self-titled journey, building its ambiance slowly but surely around you. This opening moment feels like a deeply personal song but it simultaneously welcomes its audience – taking the time to envelop you in positivity and hopefulness. Gerred’s voice shines brightly in both the earlier moments of bareness and within the later, fuller soundscape. Fans of classic pop songwriting and heartfelt musicianship will likely fall head over heels for this project almost instantly.
Face The Crowd follows and is something of an epic, colourful hit – an upbeat moment of togetherness with a rightfully huge chorus; a definite early highlight. After this, Hold You Close continues the inherent sense of possibility and optimism. Gerred writes from a place of good intentions and caring thoughts, and this shines brightly in so many ways on the album. This song is delicately presented, acoustic and warm with just a few additional vocal flickers – to enhance and bring home the power and beauty of the hook and the inspiring lyrics.
Don’t let anyone take away your dreams… Stay true to you.
Rule The World takes the form of an almost pop-rock track, a quicker guitar rhythm paves the way through the verses. Danielle Steers’ vocal feature adds a hit of alternative soul and weight that pairs beautifully with Gerred’s own emotionally loaded performance. Once again, a great hook section emerges – these are pop classics blossoming before you.
Keeping eclecticism subtly involved, Save Me offers a stunning moment of stripped back musicality – an acoustic guitar strum and an almost whispered delivery make for a beautifully intimate piece of music and poetic writing. There’s an air of vulnerability to the lyrics, and the rising melody is gorgeously performed – adding further to this personal touch, this realness that lets you really start to connect with the artist.
Don’t Let It Go picks up the energy and leans in something of an indie-rock direction – distorted guitars and a quicker pace accompany an unexpectedly rhythmic vocal melody and a sound that falls in stark contrast with what came before. Gerred has a clear passion for music in all of its possible forms – this is a rock and roll song with a pop backbone, a flicker of something slightly rap-like, and an edge of relevant grit and vocal intensity.
Liv Austen features on the song Home and the pair shine brightly among a calming, atmospheric backdrop. There’s something once again gentle and tentative about this performance and indeed the thoughtful, pondering lyrics. Another great chorus appears as the beat hits – the whole thing works hard to warm the room and inspire a sense of comfort. After this, Road To Redemption sees a little of that sixties rock and roll aura come through – a brilliant drum-line drives Gerred’s voice to deliver in a more striking, heavier manner.
Bringing space and personal reflection back is the deeply considerate, piano-led track The Lucky Ones. The song begins with a possible edge of uncertainty, then later evolves and resolves to satisfy and secure a sense of contentedness and gratitude. It’s moments like this that stand tall among the upbeat energy surrounding them – Gerred offers poetic and notably human qualities throughout his writing; something you don’t often stumble upon in modern pop.
No Ordinary Girl offers a beautiful chorus of voices and a quickly memorable melody-line as the final moment on the collection. Again the vibe feels nostalgic and classically rock-ballad-like. Big vocal moments are cleverly contrasted with a gentler verse section and a mellow though still rather epic beat. The song grows to become immense, a brilliant chorus tops it all off in a mighty way – and this positive progression or development continues right the way through. It’s a superb way to finish, a huge moment of optimism and love that speaks volumes on behalf of the artist and the rest of the album to this point.
Alexis is a project that has been compiled with care and professionalism alike – you can hear this in the music, alongside of passion and positivity, every step of the way. Gerred has put so much of himself into the album, and it shows – a pleasure to experience. Easily worth a download.
Alexis will be available for pre-order on October 16th & available on platforms everywhere on October 26th. Find & follow Alexis Gerred on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. Visit his Website for more information.
