Interestingly pairing dramatic rhythmic soundscapes with intimate, nearly-whispered folk songwriting, long-time musician and former-band-mate ryan john clary gets vulnerable and creative, for the new album LIFE, LOVE & YOU.
From the opening juxtaposition of delicate vocals and heavy production, THE SPACE presents a fresh take on contemporary folk pop, and A SHAME follows on with something more of a nostalgic, perhaps early noughties indie vibe. Always the voice and stories lay down a sense of originality in character and depth, and it’s this that truly connects – the second track in particular bridges the gap between audience and listener for its realism and this kind of Elliott Smith-like softness and passion intertwined.
The songs throughout LIFE, LOVE & YOU are blissfully easy to let play. That’s the work of an established musician and songwriter. But then as you revisit the setlist, there’s so much conceptually to appreciate and connect with, and the music offers a genuine, non-intrusive space for listeners to simply lose themselves for awhile.
Credit where credit’s due, there are some wonderfully creative and intimate gems throughout this album. The opening track doesn’t quite do the full project justice, but that’s perhaps to be expected. I’ll Go Too is a personal favourite, and things continue to get more compelling from here on in.
ryan john clary offers an album that embraces and seeks to understand, both itself and its audience, and that makes for an enjoyable, comforting listen. Great writing and some lovely hooks to match.
Find ryan john clary on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok & his Website.
