Richard Hawley's Retro Sound Echoes Legends

Richard Hawley, a Sheffield-based singer-songwriter with past ties to Pulp and Longpigs, has released his third album, Coles Corner. This collection is deeply influenced by legendary artists such as Roy Orbison, Fred Neil, Johnny Cash, Lee Hazlewood, and Scott Walker, with whom Hawley has collaborated. The album showcases Hawley's refined sound, characterized by his rich baritone and polished orchestral arrangements.

Coles Corner offers songs that are remarkably clear and direct, drawing from familiar pop structures and lyrical themes. Tracks like the title song and "Just Like the Rain" evoke a sense of nostalgia, while "Wait for Me" is a countrypolitan ballad reminiscent of another era. Despite its unapologetically retro feel, the album's blend of country, pre-rock pop, and orchestral flourishes, enhanced by ample reverb, proves to be robust and appealing.

The closing piano instrumental, "Last Orders," a poignant cover, highlights Hawley's unique approach. The track features an upright piano played in an echoing room, gradually augmented by electronic treatments before fading into a rich, atmospheric drone. This demonstrates that Hawley's music, while rooted in his influences, is not confined by the past and possesses a forward-looking artistic vision.