Copy that sparks change

Artist – Ben Howard

Album – I Forget Where We Were

Release Date – 17th October 2014

The second album.

It is safe to say that since the release of his debut album Every Kingdom Ben Howard has not gone unnoticed by the public eye. His vocal hooks and equally catchy guitar melodies shot the Totnes based musician into the UK charts peaking at number four in early 2013.

I Forget Where We Were is the folk singers second studio album and seems to give an insight into Howard’s progress as a musician. It seems his sound has evolved and matured. The album gains momentum from its peaks and troughs through use of creative structures, instrumentation and its sparse but at times hectic sound. Coupled with Ben’s now signature dreamy guitar he exposed us to on Every Kingdom and his Burgh Island EP it propels you into a world dominated by ambient sound with intermittent periods of urgency creating tension and release.

It is important to engage with this album. Far from easy listening each track may pass you by if not given the right amount of attention which is why at the first few plays the album can appear very mediocre generating little excitement. However, when you follow this sonic journey, especially through the mammoth ‘End of the Affair’ you will feel better for it. It is a masterful piece of work that needs to be given the time it deserves.

Don’t just listen. Engage.

‘She Treats Me Well’ (Live) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ICVTELwUc4