John Blek’s new album is a thing of great beauty. Recorded at home in isolation, it’s Blek’s effort to stay grounded – despite every grain of the artist resisting the rigours of the pandemic. But beautiful things are born of great struggle, and for the artist, often personal struggle – but the time out gives Blek time to draw deep from excavations into self.
The lockdown afforded a chance to play with complete artistic freedom, to tinkle with digitised experimentation while staying true to those warm acoustic tones, and reverence for the simple things in life like ‘Thin Air’.
Opening with the reflective, mellow, and autumnal ‘Summer’s Lament’ to ‘Like a Child’, which really does have a child-like vibe, these songs transgress generational links and longings. ‘Right Moves’ is a tribute to the best fun we’ve been able to have in lockdown – kitchen dancing!
This is a sensitive album of shifting moods, reflective, sensitive, and kind. No more so than in ‘Bloodlines’ and ‘My Father’s Son’ – a la Baz Luhrmann’s Sunscreen with Desiderataesque hues.
The limited vinyl and CD album is the second release in Blek’s ‘Digressions’ series – with future releases to come featuring live recordings, conceptual pieces, and other musical musings that diverge from his characteristic sound.
Ireland has a great talent in this self-effacing Cork man. In the style of the true troubadour, he can’t wait to get back on the road entertaining and bringing his beautiful tunes to appreciative audiences.
Rounding off with ‘Joy In Sorrow’ – another beautiful tune – we recommend this new album to you.