Album Review: Charles Kelley – Songs For A New Moon
2 min read
Charles Kelley may not be well known as a solo performer, but he is certainly part of something bigger. As a core member of the trio Lady A, the group have amassed a huge array of critical and commercial successes, including 11 number one hits and scoring an 11x Platinum hit with song Need You Now. It’s been nearly ten years since Kelley released solo material, but now he has graced us with sixteen track debut album Songs For A New Moon.
Can’t Lose You is the perfect opener, its TOTO-esc synths and driving beat leading into Kelley’s gravelly voice. Its a solid mid-tempo pop tune with a determination in the lyrical delivery that draws the listener in. Covering My Tracks has an immediate brightness in the strummed guitar that’s endearing. It breezes past, but continues the momentum into Take Back Goodbye, a groovy song that 80s-era Doobie Brothers would have been proud of. Can’t Be Alone Tonight’s drum machine and gorgeous keys are about as aesthetically 80s as it can possibly get, the excellent melody soaring. Angel Eyes brings the driving beat back, melding staccato guitars and elongated backing vocals perfectly. It all comes together in a fantastic, if too short, guitar solo.
At the very beginning of Lost And The Lonely Kelley can be heard saying “let’s have some fun with it!” and it’s easy to hear that they did. The mellow track feels loose and relaxed, Kelley himself flowing easily over the melody. Full Time Fool completes the 80’s bingo card by introducing alto sax, the melody announcing itself at the start and excelling in the bridge. Driving And Listening To Music is a late album highlight, bringing a tinge of country into the mix. The album ends with a one-two punch of Time After Time and Look What We Did, the former being a brilliant cover of the classic Cyndi Lauper song while the latter is a ballad of his own, singing about his long-term love.
Songs For A New Moon is a great collection of songs; an excellent throwback sound meshing modern production and 80’s sounds seamlessly. At its core, the songwriting is on point, not once faltering. It would be hard not to recommend this album to everyone.
Writer and Musician, Ryan Bulbeck has been published with a number of online publications, and has worked with a myriad of great artists, both as a performer, and as a producer. His most recent band The 295 are still active, playing shows around the UK.
