Ward Thomas - Invitation

by Zena Grieg

published: 26 / 11 / 2020

Label: Rhino
Format: CD

Fine country-pop on fourth album from harmonic sisters duo Ward Thomas recorded during lockdown in a Hampshire cottage

Review

UK country-pop twins Catherine and Lizzy Ward Thomas, the first UK country act to top the charts with their album ‘Cartwheels’ in 2016, have released their fourth album ‘Invitation’. It was mostly recorded in lockdown in the living room of the Hampshire cottage they shared. This new 14-track collection, mainly produced by Jonathan Quarmby (Lewis Capaldi, Tom Walker) is more introspective than before. Framed around the theme of relationships it tackles issues such as the angst of a long-distance relationship revolving around Zoom and Skype, particularly pertinent at this coronavirus time (‘Someday’); the importance of self-respect (‘Dear Me’) and the death of close family friends (‘Painted Legacy’; ‘If There Were Words’). The album closes with a collaboration with James Blunt on ‘Halfway’, with Jack Savoretti live at the SSE Arena Wembley on ‘Human’ and a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Landslide’, all showcasing their trademark harmonious vocals. The album was named after a lyric in ‘Open Your Mind’ “because the album feels like an invitation – whether it be figuratively, an invitation to self-reflect, or physically, to a time when we can all party again.” Highlights are the upbeat ‘Don’t Be a Stranger’; the lead single, genre-crossing ‘Someday’; the stripped-back ‘Meant to Be Me’ with its innovative mandolin sound; ‘Dear Me’, the acapella showcasing Ward Thomas’s competent vocal command; the catchy ‘Wait Up’ with its banjo and country undertones; and the darker ballad ‘My Favourite Poison’ with its classical string background giving a new modern complexion to the album. Ward Thomas say their goal is to be “country and current”. This eclectic new collection is more pop than country and demonstrates an evolving new direction for them, melding their thoughtful lyrics with a contemporary take on country-pop.

Track Listing:-

1 Sweet Time
2 Don't Be a Stranger
3 Open Your Mind
4 Someday
5 Meant to Be Me
6 Dear Me
7 Hold Space
8 Wait Up
9 My Favourite Poison
10 Painted Legacy
11 If There Were Words
12 Halfway (feat. Ward Thomas)
13 Human (Live at the SSE Arena, Wembley)
14 Landslide