Having only discovered Aldous Harding, Warm Chris is her most recent release and a wonderful showcase of the vocal chameleon’s range and depth.
Aldous has an uncanny ability to create these soft acoustic songs that suddenly morph into as catchy a chorus as you’ll hear anywhere. The opener Ennui is no exception to this, starting with a simple walking piano until finally, two minutes in, rewarding you with a brilliant hook chorus that also cuts deep lyrically (come back, come back and leave it in the right place).
The catchiness doesn’t stop there. Next up, Tick Tock is just as catchy, and Aldous takes on an almost Lou Reed tone. Fever sounds like a stadium screamed anthem song but sung low key. The title track, gently played acoustic picking, goes further with more than one catchy line leaving you wondering which is the chorus (you make that impossible face, what a line).
The range is astonishing. From the bubble gummy pop Passion Babe to sounding like Loretta Lynn in She’ll be Coming Round the Mountain, and an almost Nico-like sounding closer Leathery Whip, the album manages to have both enough variation to make it interesting while sounding distinctly like Aldous Harding.
Overall it’s hard to fault what Harding does. Presenting a mysterious persona, who’s both uncomfortable and confident, it makes for intriguing listening and invites the listener to ask the question – who is she? Is she the shy quiet woman who appears awkward and uncomfortable, or is there more to this act? Either way the album is highly recommended, and give the songs a chance to kick in, you’ll see just how catchy they can be.
★★★★☆
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