‘I Used To Be Sad And Then I Forgot’ is the latest release by English singer-songwriter Alec Bowman. Having worked as a professional film maker and photographer, Bowman is no stranger to viewing life through different angles and scenes. With this collection of music, Bowman shares some of his views of the world through darkness, introspection, and black humour.
Leaning heavily towards the sound of Nick Cave mixed with the melancholy of Leonard Cohen, the album is also reminiscent of ‘Cyprus Avenue’-era Van Morrison. The production work of Josienne Clarke is quietly stunning. It perfectly highlights Bowman’s deadpan delivery and allows each song to breathe.
Some small amounts of electric guitar and brass enhance the mood of the work alongside some eccentric Beatles-esque sound effects scattered through the album adding an additional level of intrigue to the mix.
Stand out songs include ‘Hand in Hand’, ‘A Ditch Worth Dying For’, ‘Safe Mode’, and ‘The Event Horizon Of You’.
A deeply personal album for Bowman, his lyrics delve deep into his own mind and soul. As Bowman says, his songs are:
Scar tissue on my skin, owned by me, worn on the outside, and if you’re going to judge me, then do it with an open hand in the cold light of a future day, rather than under the cover of a darkness past.
‘I Used To Be Sad And Then I Forgot’ is an album that is full of brooding material with lyrics that are deep with ambiguity, ensuring a very different experience for each individual listener. It might take a few listens to let it get under your skin, but it will be time well spent.