Tom Mitchell - Things That I Need to Undo

  by Malcolm Carter

published: 10 / 6 / 2014

Label: Tom Mitchell
Format: CDS

intro

Infectious folk pop on latest EP from acoustic singer-songwriter, Tom Mitchell

Following on from his debut album, 2013’s ‘New World’, British singer-songwriter Tom Mitchell recently released a four-track EP under the title of ‘Things That I Need to Undo’ which must be in the running for the soundtrack to this summer. Mitchell has a relaxed, sweet singing voice that instantly draws the listener in. It is one of those voices that it’s impossible to ignore. In his own subtle way Mitchell captures the attention in a way that is more effective than those who are under the illusion that loud vocals equate to emotion. Mitchell’s gentle vocals display that he is an excellent singer; for once the old adage “less is more” actually rings true. Mitchell has been quoted as saying that he tries to conjure up a 60’s folk reminiscence with his music, and it appears that he’s all too readily lumped in the folk genre when, in fact, the music spread over these four songs reveals that Mitchell is so much more than just another acoustic- wielding folk troubadour. There are three factors that make ‘Things That I Need to Undo’ one of the most exciting yet peaceful sets of songs to come this way in some time. Firstly there’s that voice. Having already used sweet and gentle, expressive and captivating come next, and I would agree that there is something about those 60s troubadours in Mitchell’s vocal delivery. Think of those acoustic-strumming minstrels who were making pop music laced with subtle shades of folk (Timon springs readily to mind), and you are almost there. Then there are Mitchell’s extremely catchy melodies, once heard never forgotten. The most upbeat song here, opener ‘Susie the Seamstress’, has a chorus that you’ll be singing along to the second time it comes around. Thirdly there’s Mitchell’s distinctive guitar playing; with an emphasis on finger-style guitar work Mitchell is an imaginative and expressive guitarist, no doubt one of the reasons he was chosen to accompany artists such as Duffy and the Cadbury Sisters on tour. Oh, and did I mention melodic? Despite the second song, ‘Michael’s Garden’, being more reflective and less upbeat than the opening cut, the summery feel still shines through, Mitchell’s guitar playing is simply superb, conjuring all kinds of positive images alone and the song is probably the strongest lyrically on this EP. It’s understandable why Mitchell chose to release these four songs as an EP just now rather than wait to include them in a full-length album. Apart from capturing the onset of summer perfectly, the four songs flow together so naturally; they all create the same atmosphere, despite each song being different from what went before there is no doubt a common thread running through the EP. Mitchell’s airy vocals really come to shine on the title song, which is the last track on the EP. Once again Mitchell has composed an immensely catchy melody; it’s one of those songs that simply won’t leave you alone and that you feel you want to share with everyone. Again the reflective, intelligent lyrics highlight just how talented Mitchell is especially when his words are wrapped in such compelling melodies. There have been an increasing number of EPs released recently all making perfect use of the format, and ‘Things That I Need to Undo’ tops that list. It’s arrived at the right time; it’s an infectious collection of folky-pop and the perfect introduction to the music of Tom Mitchell that will have you checking out his ‘New World’ album if you’ve not already done so. Usually I’d be begging for a full album after hearing an EP of such captivating tunes, but I’d settle for another EP that captured a time and place as brilliantly as this one does if it meant not waiting too long.

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