Glasgow-based artist Drew Davies gears up to release his sophomore album later this week. Drew’s album is titled Holloway Nights, and it was written and produced on Holloway Road, London – a fitting name.
Drew shares on an Instagram post that the album cover was taken by Stephanie Zapolska the night before he moved from London to Glasgow, tying in nicely with the sentiment of the album.
Talking about the album, Drew said: “The themes on this album are love, loss and hope for a better future. The album acts as a musical snapshot of my life over the past few years.
“I produced this record with the help of some great friends in my old apartment on the junction of Holloway and Camden Road; it was mainly written and recorded at night. With Joe Meek’s Telstar Studios constantly within view.
“I tried to channel that experimental spirit into the creation of this record.”
The album, mixed by Danny Woodward, Whitewood Recordings and mastered by Graeme Lynch, 209 Mastering, consists of nine tracks.
The opening track, titled The Bitter End, has been reviewed by Brig before – you can read the full review here. It works well as the opening for this album, creating a buzz of anticipation as you await to hear the following tracks.
The Comeback follows, a wave of electronic instrumentals weaving around vocals follows the story of this piece. The pacing is more dramatic than the opening track, a generally slower-paced song with punching, drawn out vocalisations create immense emotion.
Codename: Softboi and You’re the Only One are next up, both with very different settings as they tell snippets of Drew’s life.
The titular track, Holloway Nights, is dark and grungy. Vocals are overthrown by the instruments. Putting the instrumentals first gives a surreal feeling, as though you are listening to Drew perform from the bar or toilets. It sticks with the idea that each song represents a snippet of Drew’s life, this one feels hazy and fuelled by emotion.
Heavy Manners returns the focus to Drew as he portrays disgust and annoyance through his lyrics and the way he almost spits them out. It’s angsty, it’s grungy, it’s Drew Davies.
Ending the album is a slow beat of drums and sneaky synth as In The Name starts up. Styles change in this track as Drew monologues over the synth and quiet backing vocals before changing pace as he starts to sing. The electric tinge to his vocals reminds me of Sundara Karma, and something else that I can’t quite put my finger on. It feels familiar, but in the best way.
In The Name may be Drew’s most abstract track with the variety of styles and techniques it has. It’s a great end to the album, and I for one can’t wait to see what Drew does next.
You can listen to the album when it releases on January 26.
Featured Image Credit: Drew Davies
Fourth year student journalist studying Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Journalism Studies.
Words at Brig, The Daily Evergreen, Alloa Advertiser, Discovery Music Scotland, and The Mourning Paper.
