Hamish Hawk - Angel Numbers

  by Mark Rowland

published: 26 / 4 / 2023

Label: Post Electric
Format: CD

intro

Diverse but confident new album from rising Scottish singer-songwriter Hamish Hawk who seems destined for major success

If previous album ‘Heavy Elevator’ cracked open the door to wider success for Scottish singer-songwriter Hamish Hawk, ‘Angel Numbers’ aims to kick said door in. A record that oozes with confidence, it builds on what Hawk did on his previous album, adding extra bombast along with his well-established arch, literate, omnivorous songwriting. ‘Think of Us Kissing’, for example, channels Springsteen to an extent, with its grand, sweeping guitar strums, the kind of rock song designed to get people on their feet and nodding their heads. But like Springsteen, Hawk is able to deliver that big rock sound without losing his subtlety. His lyrics are wordy and humorous, full of vivid imagery. ‘Elvis Look-alike Shadows’ also channels a bit of E-Street Band energy, with Smiths-like melodies. Elsewhere, Hawk slows the pace. Guest appearances by Anna B Savage and Samantha Crain on ‘Frontman’ and ‘Rest & Veneers’ respectively are notable quieter moments. The former is sparse and delicate, almost entirely just voice and keyboards, augmented by strings. The latter is a country bop, with some lovely pedal steel (provided by Conor Smith). Hawk is a music fan’s songwriter, taking from the past five decades of music to craft his sound. Indie music from the 2000s and 2010s are an influence, but so are French and Belgian chanson singers such as Charles Aznavour, 60's and 70's folk rock, late 70's post-punk and 80's indie pop/new wave. A comparison to the Divine Comedy would be easy, particularly given Hawks’ baritone croon, but not really fair. ‘Desperately’ is another Springsteen channeler, taking ‘Dancing in The Dark’ and mutating it into the kind of self-deprecating, pleading love song that Edwyn Collins perfected in the early days of Orange Juice. The title track starts as a sort of deconstructed rock song, never sitting still, until breaking into the kind of big chorus that won over big audiences at the peak of 2000s indie. Single ‘Money’ is a cynical, satirical take on greed and capitalism. It’s a diverse but coherent package, and surely another big step towards a bigger audience.

Track Listing:-

Band Links:-