Aqualung - 'Aqualung' (B-Unique)
4/5
By: Toby L
Having produced one of 2002's most intoxicating and aloofly blooming singles - 'Strange & Beautiful (I'll Put A Spell On You)' - Aqualung have decided not to be a one-off, advert-soundtracked wonder; an album also entitled 'Strange & Beautiful' has been assembled and, let's get this straight, is every part as atmospherically absorbing and tender as its high-profile title-track.
And, whilst we're getting matters ironed out and verified for certain, let it be known publicly too that Aqualung is in fact one Matt Hales, the former-frontman of two-time indie-hopefuls, Ruth and The 45s. Whereas his prior projects relied on poppy exuberance via the means of cranked-up guitars, infectious three-minute arrangements and indie-boyish cuteness, Hales has now fled the roost to go it alone, using his ample enough skills of operating recording-equipment and way with a piano to create one of the understated, low-key albums of the year.
A voice every bit as softly mesmerising as Thom Yorke's and a character with a penchant for mournful songwriting that even Elbow would have a difficult time finding faults within, as you glide from track to track through Hales' deeply engaging and reflective melancholia, just try and hold back the heart-tugging pains in the chest and welling in the eyes.
Whether it's the downtrodden openness of 'Falling Out Of Love', or slightly noisier and edgy 'Good Time's Gonna Come', what becomes most apparent is a sense of melodic solemnity and lyrical directness which seems achingly absent from anything so accessible to the musical-mainstream - a location Aqualung could find themselves heading in the not so distant future. Further hymns for the heartbroken in all of us, 'Tongue-Tied' and the helplessly, shamelessly romantic 'Can't Get You Out Of My Mind' are obvious numbers of merit, not to mention the shocking high-notes obtained and stretched within 'Everything Changed', seriously prompting the listener to justifiably ponder over whether the man has a full set of family-jewels. Still, whether such a matter ever becomes solved or not, the fact remains - this man has soul and pained sincerity by the bucket-load, and a competence for crafting and moulding compositions that will haunt and enchant long into the early hours of the morning.
It's because of Hales so willingly offering to hang his heart on the line that as he hums, 'If I fall, will you catch me' - after hearing all this - you'd be treacherous not to oblige the man his humble request.
Artists in this article: Aqualung
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