Tom Minor is back with his second album, and honestly, it’s the kind of record that makes you wonder why more people aren’t talking about him. Twelve tracks of brit pop, indie rock, and power pop that somehow hold together as a cohesive body of work, even when the subject matter jumps from climate doom to romantic fallout to a loveable bipolar party animal named Steve.
The album opens strong with “Future Is an F Word”, a song that works equally well as a breakup anthem and a dig at humanity’s collective inability to deal with the obvious. That kind of double meaning runs right across the record, and it never comes across as trying too hard.
“Progressive or Punk” is a personal highlight, a funny and sharp look back at the local music scene through the ears of a kid eavesdropping on his parents. “Next Stop Brixton” takes a very different turn, layered and cinematic, with Johnny Dalston’s solo guitar giving it real texture.
“Washed-Up Buoy” and “The Manic Phase” are the two tracks that push Minor into new territory, and both land well. The closing track “Change It!” sends you off in a good mood, which after everything the album puts you through, feels earned.
Producer Teaboy Palmer keeps things tight without sucking the personality out of anything, and that balance is harder to pull off than it sounds. Do yourself a favour and follow Tom Minor on his social media pages linked right below, because he is putting out the kind of work that rewards people who pay attention early.
Follow Tom Minor: Facebook – Spotify
