The second offering by the musical prodigy Matt Hales’ Aqualung is an interesting mix of songs. Some completely dull and some so full of musical nuances that it is easy to see why this man has become highly sought after.

The latest single ‘Brighter Than Sunshine’ is the first track on the album and is fairly average despite leaning towards a Paul McCartney sound and does little to engage the listener. However persevering with the album well into the second half does reward you with an intriguingly melodious if slightly depressing sound.

The use of piano and keyboard has become the signature of Aqualung and he combines this (in his better tracks) with some fascinating sound samples. ‘Take Me Home’ has a definite underwater theme (perhaps a reference to Aqualung or am I getting too deep?!). Whilst ‘ 7 Keys’ sounds like it should be part of a David Lynch movie with arty samples mixed with Hales droning vocals.

The use of piano and harpsichord in ‘Extraordinary Thing’ is simple but effective and the orchestration in several tracks adds to but does not overkill the music. Vocally the similarity between Hales and Radiohead’s Thom Yorke in songs such as ‘Extraordinary Thing’ and ‘Breaking My Heart Again’ is frighteningly unoriginal.

Essentially it is an album to chill out to. It is experimental yet melodious and unpretentious and, with the removal of a few non-descript numbers, is an interestingly mellow album.

words: Suzanne Gailey