A very special review today! This is by far one of the most important albums for any of you to go and listen to this year! Imogen Evans has released her debut album and some of you may know her from singing with Auger on their track 'As The World Falls Apart'. It is very rare for me to like every single song on a release, and rarer still to get spine shivers listening to a song, and this album pretty much has done that to me the whole way through. This is a fantastic album from start to finish that showcases a true talent that is worthy of acclaim and a huge following!
Thank you to Gareth Evans for forwarding this for review
Released: 09/08/2024 Label: The Big Chair
The Towers is the exciting debut album from 18-year-old, up and coming singer/songwriter, Imogen Evans. The 10-track album, produced by Kyle J Wilson (Auger), demonstrates Imogen’s best work so far and not only showcases her hard work over the past 2-years of recording, but her mature songwriting, powerful lyrics and versatile voice.
Imogen Evans is an up and coming songwriter from the north west of England. No matter where Imogen performs, she is followed by a buzz of excitement. The sense that you are in the presence of someone, and something really special, is abundant.
Imogen draws from influences and experiences well beyond her years and expresses a great maturity in her song writing.
“Emotive alt-pop from the UK. Imogen’s sound is unique, powerful and mature beyond her years.”
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Review
As I usually do, I flicked through about 10 seconds of each track to give myself a brief idea of what I'm about to listen and write about. It is the rarest of things that each track had me nodding away with a jaw clench of approval with each track, not one stood out as something I wouldn't enjoy.
I knew from the start therefore, that this album was going be be damn good, and that it deserves writing about just as much as any famous artists' release! 'Joy Is Subjective' - What a simple yet powerful way of putting it! Imogen's voice is soft and brimming with talent. This start as a seemingly melancholy song with poignant lyrics accompanied by a chill acoustic riff and drum beat but kicks up in to a more hopeful tempo and feel at 1:02; This paints the rest of the song in a much different light with the occasional masterful sprinkle of electric guitar or piano to add depth in a similar way that Gary Numan's tracks often do.
That is not to say this is similar in sound, Imogen seems to have ALREADY created a signature sound specifically unique to her which in a world saturated with music, is a thoroughly impressive thing to have done, especially with a debut album! 'Be Fearful' has a faster tempo acoustic guitar complimented with another great use of drums and electric guitars where necessary to add resonating power. This feels like a rock anthem ready to be discovered by the wider world. The vocal range that Imogen is able to cycle through here is impressive to say the least.
'This Insecure Mind' now here's a gorgeous song that rends at the heart strings. A song of unrequited love and comparing ones-self to another. This song has one of the most beautiful lyrics I have ever heard..
If I could fly like her.. Well maybe I'd capture your heart.. Oh but I'm just a crow compared to a Raven.. But I could bet, when you're lost.. I could find you better..
Not only is that lyrically brilliant in its poetic nature but the way Imogen is able to incorporate so much emotion in to every word and sentence with dramatic timing between each line is sublime.
The above verse repeats again later with slightly different wording bringing an even greater sense of majesty and depth to the track. It ends with three perfect piano keys dripping with gravitas.
Needles to say, this is my strong favourite on the album
'The Letters You Wrote' hit me with some unexpected memories, remembering when I used to write letters to the people I loved when I was a teenager and they to me. Though the song isn't about that exactly - to say the song has an easy ability to relate and empathise with is an understatement. The premise of remembering someone lost to us from the letters they left behind is a beautiful one. 'Building Castles' takes a turn in to the upbeat and higher tempo but deceptively so with a still quite serious message held within the lyrics. This is probably the most 'pop' like song in the album and creates somewhat of a mid-album pivot point which is enjoyable. 'Freefall' is another track with a somewhat upbeat vibe that brings to mind the family connection that Imogen has with Auger, as this is very much a song similar to their style - Yet in a completely different way; It strikes me as a song that would go down damn well as the title song for a new James Bond film. Kind of like if you mixed the Chris Cornell track for Casino Royale, and the Adelle song for Skyfall, then this is the kind of brilliant track that would be crafted from them. Something quite great (for me at least) is a touch of post rock guitar around the 2:15 mark, it's short but I love it. This is a song about falling in love and not being able to escape, a classic concept, executed beautifully. 'In The Shadows' returns to the slower, smoother lyrics and vocals. At 2:00 Imogen belts out a powerful couple of verses that really showcase her voice. It's actually quite a positive and empowering track about stepping out in to the light and overcoming fear which is a nice touch. Feels like this would go down well in something like 'Repo: The genetic Opera'.
'Residing In Hell' Is deceptive, a bit of bass and lyrics makes you think this will be of the same manner as previous songs, but at 0:34 we are treated to electronics! - And then at 0:52 the tempo picks right up in to a real dance floor filling number. Then at 1:18 hand drums make themselves known. You're never quite sure what's gonna happen next. Other instruments and elements are thrown in, notably so is a distortion loop of Imogen's voice which is p.r.i.s.t.i.n.e. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the song that does 'the best' with wider audiences outside of the alternative scene - Kind of how a lot of 'normal' people enjoyed and made the Netflix Wednesday Adams show somewhat of a mainstream thing to enjoy. 'My Ghost' - More stunningly good vocals from Imogen are accompanied by an intensely deep and soul grabbing guitar note at 0:46 which is bound to drop a lot of jaws when heard. This track is one to sway to when the heavier emotions set in, and in that regards, it is quite cathartic. 'Hiding Darkness' is a wonderful song to end the album on. Spoken to the darkness, spoken to a ghost, spoken to herself? Either way the lyrics are full of passion and meaning. Imogen sings with a talent and skill of years far beyond her age and this track is the one that shows that off the most. This is the type of song that belongs in a Hideo Kojima game. It is deep, it is resonating, it is emotionally provoking and at 3:02 WHAT A FANTASTIC GUITAR RIFF to hammer the end of the album with - hard, heavy, and leaving you on a cliff hanger wanting more! This is my other favourite (to this insecure mind) on the album!
Conclusion
Imogen Reminds me of lots of different artists from Avril Lavigne, to Haley Williams but more closely in style of Lana Del Ray, Mellissa Van Fleet (Especially on This Insecure Mind) and Jazmin bean. HOWEVER as I mention in the review Imogen sings with a talent and skill of years far beyond her age and seems to have ALREADY created a signature sound specifically unique to her which in a world saturated with music, is a thoroughly impressive thing to have done, especially with a debut album! It's good to know we have young artists carrying the 'Gothic' torch strongly in to the future.
Imogen Evans is able to weave tapestries of deep emotions through poignant lyrics, a voice of beautiful tragedy, and a thorough appreciation of the 'Gothic poetic' - with sublime mastery. I feel as though reviewing this, I have witnessed a new star on the horizon, and I am but one finger pointing for others to look at the horizon with me in the hopes that by this time next year, tens of thousands of fingers will be pointing in awe of this new star's music as well..
Honestly Imogen, well done. I am sure you will go far!
Thank you!
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