Gregory Ackerman - ‘Brand New Life’
photo by carly rose
From the USA, Gregory Ackerman has just released his new indie folk EP, Brand New Life, which, musically and lyrically, embodies life’s journey, echoing his personal growth and experiences. To mark this occasion, I will be taking a look at two of the tracks, “Luckier Still” and “When It’s Through.”
The retro-tinged “Luckier Still,” in a funny way, makes me think of “For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield, just with a more stripped-back and less introspective vibe. Like this track, the drums have a minimal, steady, laid-back groove with occasional fills, and a shaker and tambourine helping to spice up the arrangement. The bass also has that smooth, Bruce Palmer-esque melodic vibe as it locks in tight with the drums.
Helping to fill out the rhythm is the gentle, warm tones of acoustic guitar, whilst electric guitar plays melodic lines and licks that weave elegantly alongside the vocals. Ackerman’s voice has a lush clear, calm and sincere delivery as he lightly sings the words. Surrounded by rich harmonies that add texture and depth, the track really is a pleasing, refined textural delight, even though the arrangement is beautifully stripped-back.
“When It’s Through,” on the other hand, could be described as more of a ballad in the mould of the slightly doo-wop “This Boy” by The Beatles. The drums have a subtlety and finesse, which beautifully brings out the tenderness of this pleasant track. The bass, once again, provides a strong rhythmic cohesion that enhances the smooth and seamless flow of the arrangement.
Dressing the track are the rustic and relaxed tones of acoustic guitar, with the electric guitar dreamily arpeggiating throughout, cementing the reflective atmosphere. However, it is the organ that strikingly injects that nostalgic spirit. The little splashes of this layer introduce a bluesy and energetic sense of soul, which is simply prolific.
On this track, Ackerman’s vocals remind me of Lou Reed– not in the sense of the raw and quirky performances he was famous for, but more in the vein of having the same, understated authenticity. This delivery style truly brings emotional depth to the composition, helping to draw the listener in further.
These two tracks are taken from Brand New Life, which is out now on Polymoon (Netherlands). The EP is well worth checking out, as it is brimming full of magnificently retro tones, whether in the touches of strings that are used or when Gregory Ackerman displays his consistent great ear for melodies.