Alternative musician Novo Amor may have written and recorded the entirety of his new album in his home studio in Whales, but the sound is so polished and ethereal in its disposition that you would think it came to be in a garden somewhere. Beginning with tranquil, tone-setting track “Emigrate”, the album slowly layers in like a delectable dream sequence. “Birthplace” brings in more staccato notes – invoking a sense of excitement during parts of the song – and percussion that will change the rate of your heartbeat. “Utican” can be described as nothing if not as a freeing, energetic anthem, while “Seneca” dances delicately along the edges of your shoulders, as if to wrap you in an other-worldly hug.
“Anniversary” is largely instrumental, ushering in an energy and sound that feels like everyone you know is singing along. “13494” follows a similar feel to its predecessor, though darker in tone in a way that makes the track feel more robust. “State Lines” falls into the more conventional “folk singer-songwriter” category, and we’re eating it up like there’s no tomorrow. Seriously, turn this one on, turn your most twinkling lights on, and gaze out the window for a while. Pure bliss.
“Sleepless” is a more conventional anthem in its composition, but equally ethereal as the vocals maintain their light as a feather tone. Even “Repeat Until Death” doesn’t have the negative or dark tones to it as implied in the title, but to categorize it as anything other than melancholic would be a miss in our minds. And that’s fine, as the range of emotion and writing styles allows us a more intense peek into the creative mind of Novo Amor. He ends it all with “Oh, Round Lake”, a simplistic by impactful track that leaves you wanting to dance in that fairy-lit garden, breathing in the autumn night air.
Novo Amor kicks off his UK tour tonight. Head out to one of the dates below to check it out!
Birthplace is available now. Keep up with Novo Amor here.
