Londoner Andy Smythe seeks to blow new life into the genre of britpop with his new full-length record, and along with the genre, the singer-songwriter offers a new look into the mundane and drama of everyday life. From students working one’s ass off to pay rent on time for the landlord to some hidden experiences with mental wellbeing, “Poetry in Exile” is a relentless and honest release depicting the modern world, packaged into classic britpop goodness.
ORDER “POETRY IN EXILE” ON BANDCAMP NOW!
The brute modern reality is split into 13 songs, each featuring an underdog trying to find a way through to the sunny side. Andy gives the characters and their individual events a charming, clear and emotive voice that does an excellent job expressing the usually silent inner troubles. And fittingly, the release looks past the vocal ones and searches to bring out those that suffer in silence, thus becoming a touching compilation of music touching the struggles of life generally experienced alone.
There’s lots of variety in topics included in the album. In addition to what could be considered classical themes such as emerging from depression in “Everything’s a Bit Broken” and the historical events like the battle of Cable Street in “No Pasaran”, the LP also offers a look into the life of students trying to have a roof over their head amid insane rent prices in “Dear Landlord” and the very much justified unease of AI in “Ghost in the Machine”. Considering how the online experience is becoming increasingly riddled with AI content and making it difficult to pick reality apart from fake, that song has definitely found its place.
STREAM NOW!
At its core, the release has a strong philosophical foundation that shines through profound lyrics. They’re brought to life in beautiful folk-influenced soundscapes that both gives shape to the intangible and bridges the past with present. For instance the title track “Poetry in Exile” knows very well that history repeats itself and that’s also applied to societal troubles. One can be cast out these days too for having different ideas or simply just because, like Odin was cast out by the Emperor.
Andy Smythe has also created a music video for one of the album’s tracks, “Out of My Mind”. The colorful clip depicting AI-boosted imagery of romance follows the track’s storyline of finding one’s soulmate, the one perfect person that makes you mind their home for good and without whom life seems immensely dull. It’s also got wonderful brass solos to add further charm to the already stunning track. Check out the video below:
“Poetry in Exile” is an exemplary release sound-wise embedding itself in the niche of vintage pop, whereas the lyricism and composition carry inspiration of legendary songwriters such as Rufus Wainwright, Lennon and Nick Drake. To be fair, comparisons just become a drag when describing the record, but saying that Andy Smythe has created a medicine for the weary minds living in this modern world, would be correct. Poisoned by the societal or existential dread? “Poetry in Exile” has the antidote to help you carry on.
STREAM NOW!
@andysmytheband reveals “Poetry in Exile”, an LP seeing the drama of life through britpop lens.
Stream on Spotify NOW! https://t.co/ctOhy9EnuU#LessThan1000Followers #FreshSingles #IndieOnly #12NewSongsThisWeek #ChillFolkAcoustic #UnknownButEssentials #BLOGLT1KF #LT1KF pic.twitter.com/ZUyHAXnIXb
— Jpgchief (@Jpgchief) March 1, 2024
Don’t forget to support this project and follow Andy Smythe on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, SoundCloud, YouTube, Apple Music, and Spotify. You can also check out his official website. If you enjoy this music and can provide monetary support, you might consider downloading it on Bandcamp.
You can find it in the following Playlists: Less Than 1,000 Followers, Fresh Singles, Indie Only, Alterindie State Of Mind, 12 New Songs This Week, Chill – Folk – Acoustic, and Unknown but Essentials!
P.S. If you enjoy discovering new artists and brand-new music, subscribe to this blog Less Than 1,000 Followers, and follow the Playlist with all the artists we have presented here!
If you enjoy this track don’t forget to give it a green heart when you’re on Spotify and add it to your favorite playlist. This little action not only saves the track on your music library but also will help the artist, you know that the game’s name for us is “support”. Thank you!!!
FOR MORE NEW ALBUMS REVIEWED CLICK HERE
