Adam’s music is gentle and mellow, steadily paced, thoughtful. That doesn’t mean, however, that he’s totally opposed to stepping up the beat. The encouraging lyrics of People Come/People Go exhibit more of a Paul Simon influence, enhanced by its light shades of latin in the rhythm section; while the bright, breezy I Want To Be Your Friend provides more encouragement alongside John McCusker’s piano and playful backing vocals.
Both of these tracks are a clear indication that Adam’s wide-ranging collaborations since “Heirs And Graces” have provided ample inspiration for new approaches to his music. Currently touring as the featured singer in John McCusker‘s band, he’s also contributed to the latest project from Martin Green of Lau, Flit and joined Heidi Talbot on tour.
Nadine is one of Adam’s new songs that’s been very warmly received in his live shows, provoking a stream of enquiries from fans on social media about when a recording would be available. Well, Adam and the band have obliged the fans by including the song on the new album and it stands out from the very start. With haunting guitar and a ghostly, wail of backing vocal from Eddi Reader, Nadine uses the onset of autumn as a metaphor for inconstancy. It’s a carefully and expertly crafted painting – the guitar a rolling of dark clouds, the backing vocal a wailing of winds. A stormy masterpiece of heightened emotion.
The album closes with Adam singing a happy, but regretful goodbye in Cutting Loose. With an incredibly light production the song could almost be a sing along around a pub piano. It’s a return to, and an acknowledgement of, all those formative musical and family influences. It’s confirmation that he must move on, and that’s exactly what Adam’s achieved with this album.
Brighter Still doesn’t ride on the coat-tails of the success Heirs and Graces enjoyed. Rather than adopting the safe approach of ‘that went well, let’s do it again‘; Adam has gained confidence in his own ability and taken his music forward. Not in a new direction, but off on a gentle tangent that explores what else can be achieved when the quality of the song writing leaves ample space for adventure.
Brighter Still is released June 10th
Exclusive Signed CDs Available to Pre-Order via Adam Holmes & The Embers website here.
The Fat Angel Sings 