Review: Luke Leighfield - New Season

When I pressed play on Luke Leighfield's 'New Season', my first thought was how it brought me back to New Found Glory's underrated 'Coming Home'. Much like parts of 'Coming Home', 'New Season' brings on piano-led pop rock pleasers with a straight-forward approach to the lyrics and a knack for spirit-rousing melodies.

But that's where the New Found Glory comparisons end. Leighfield will probably be more comfortable being mentioned in the same category as Ben Folds, Jack's Mannequin, and Coldplay. For a 24-year-old, Leighfield is a very seasoned musician, with 3 albums and hundreds of shows under his belt before 'New Season'. This is evident from his songwriting, which comes off as well-polished and earnest with a maturity not usually seen at this age (this coming from a fellow 24-year-old). 

The whole album is filled with energy, embodying the orchestral powerpop ethic Leighfield claims to carry. Songs like 'Live For More' and 'It's You' drive the point home with rousing choruses and feel-good lyrics. Even when it takes its foot off the accelerator, the tracks still carry with them an unmistakably cheery, life-embracing sound that comes off as likable and even at times spiritual.

I've never been comfortable with the label 'singer/songwriter', as for me it carries the connotation of acoustic guitar-carrying singers peddling the same old songs, and trying to get away with as many Oasis covers as possible. Now I certainly can't place Luke Leighfield in the same category. This is an excellent pop album bursting with potential house party anthems which brings into it a depth and sincerity missing in so many other so-called singer/songwriters.

'New Season' is out on Got Got Need Records and also available as a digital download on Bandcamp, iTunes and Amazon. 


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Musical Mathematics // Single Review // The Cast of Cheers – ‘Family’

Irish outfit Cast of Cheers came out of nowhere in 2010 to stun absolutely everyone with their incredible (and incredibly, free to download) debut album, Chariots. Considered by many to be one of the best debuts of the year, their rise - which included being nominated in the Choice Music Prize and playing to a sold out Brixton Academy with Two Door Cinema Club – is definitely deserved. 

While we wait feverishly for their second album (and for their debut to be properly released this year), they have released their newest single ‘Family’. Before we continue with this review, consider this: Zane Lowe played the single twice in a row on his show on Radio 1. Think what you will of Lowe, but you certainly can’t blame him for that unusual act of approval. ‘Family’ is a rip-roaring good tune. 

Read the rest of my review on Musical Mathematics