Album Review: Richard Hawley – Hollow Meadows
2 min read
Sometimes when you delve into a new era of songwriting it’s great to go back to basics. Renowned singer/songwriter Richard Hawley has done just that with his eighth studio album Hollow Meadows, said to be a collection of sophisticated and subtle arrangements, a sound that fans fell in love with during Hawley’s beginnings. It follows up his highly acclaimed 2012 album release Standing At The Sky’s Edge: where has Hawley gone from there?
The intimate moments on this album really touch you, especially opening track I Still Want You on which the demoed vocals remain on the finished product, along with a lush arrangement to die for. Which Way is a great transition from the hush and shows a grittier side to Hawley’s sound. The vocals are soothing at times, with tracks like Sometimes I Feel and Tuesday PM almost dreamlike, the mellow tones taking you away. For something a little more upbeat you need to give Heart Of Oak a listen, and for something bright the acoustic guitar comes out to play for album closer What Love Means.
In Richard Hawley’s case less is certainly more: the absence of ‘stocky’ arrangements on Hollow Meadows allows listeners to focus on the intimacy of the vocals and the rawness of the album’s overall sound, an atmosphere which you can take in without it being a burden. If you’re a little bit restless and slower jams don’t go down too well with you, perhaps give this album a miss, but Hollow Meadows was clearly made for an audience that can really sit down and appreciate the depth and warmth of this sound.
