My spirits always sink when I see self-titled albums. It smacks of a kind of self-centred lack of imagination. Or a very, very large ego. However, what we have here is a nice debut from Canadian singer-songwriter Powter which suggests that Powter doesn’t suffer from either of these difficulties.
Recent single ‘Bad Day’ is easily the strongest with its driving piano melody, tight but subtle harmonies and uplifting chorus. ‘Lie to Me’ has a strange folk-hop (I think I may have just coined a new genre there) taste which combined with Powter’s assertive falsetto ramblings is pretty effective. Elsewhere, Powter sounds gravely, Prince-esque or, bizarrely, rather like Macy Gray (listen to ‘Suspect’).
Forthcoming single ‘Jimmy Gets High’ is a delicate ballad that shows a maturity which perhaps lacks on other tracks. Sadly the opening is spoiled with some nasty finger snaps but once the track kicks in, rousing strings and another piano-led melody make for a startlingly emotive track.
Artists like this truly restore my faith in popular music. With this debut, has already proved himself to be head and shoulders above his contemporaries; a shiny beacon of intelligent musical light in the otherwise murky world of chart fodder. Worth a listen.
Rating: 4/5
Label: Warner Brothers / WEA
Words by: Sarah Chapman
