Reviews
Artist:Rezo Album: Sew Change
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 9
Website: https://www.rezo.ie
The second album from Irish musicians Colm O'Connell and Rory McDaid (both ex-members of former Dublin group The Mitcheners) comprises a suite of ten gentle, melodic new songs that revive evocative memories of childhood, employing them as a foundation upon which to build a musical picture of the present.
The duo's debut collection, 'Travelog', was released in April 2021 and received widespread praise for its hazy and melodic moods, with comparisons being drawn to proto-Americana bands like Sparklehorse and Mercury Rev. As with many new albums released in the aftermath of coronavirus, 'Travelog' was recorded virtually, beginning in April 2020, with O'Connell (still based in Ireland) collaborating over the internet with McDaid (who now lives in Spain).
However, 'Sew Change' has been recorded and mixed in Dublin's Darklands Audio with Daniel Doherty (who has worked with both Fontaines DC and Damien Dempsey) at the helm. The result is a gentle and evocative collection that weaves together its sensitive palette of threads, and explores the cares and concerns now shared by many of us in this new, post-pandemic, age.
As with their debut, 'Sew Change' unashamedly bears the cut and style of folk-infused Americana, this time embellished with Beat Generation sensitivity, and a multi-layered tapestry of elegant electronic trimmings.
Opening track, 'Realised Dreaming', provides Rezo's statement of intent, and a belief that, through music, we can now make sense of the last few years. Whilst reminiscent of both Eels and Wilco, Rezo maintain European familiarity, with vocals that display just a hint of Bryan Ferry and Steve Harley, or of Villagers' Conor O'Brien.
An increase in the pressures on our mental health services is the inspiration for 'Boy On A Bridge' (based on a true story about an incident on Dublin's Nine Arches bridge), and also in 'Sometimes', a poignant and harmony-rich portrait of the struggle and gnawing guilt from having to care for a loved one suffering with dementia.
A mid-tempo acoustic guitar imparts its country credentials to 'Side By Side', a soulful ballad calling upon us to celebrate diversity and differences, and to suspend cynicism and prejudice. It is a message also repeated in one of 'Sew Change's standout tracks, the multi-layered 'Colourblind', with its guitar crescendo reminding me of English space-rockers, Spiritualized.
Another key track is lead single 'Your Truth', its hypnotic, beating heart attempting to free our minds through its refrain - "I want you, to tell me your truth". It is one of two songs about relationships, the other being 'Hiding in Plain View', a retrospective reminder, during a testing time, of just why you fell in love with someone.
With distorted vocals and a hooky Spanish guitar, 'Erays' is a critical, yet rhythmic, response to cancel culture, and the ostracism that often accompanies it. It is followed by 'I'm Not Enough', a soulful ballad augmented with gospel trio and Pentecostal choir motifs. The vocals remind of David Byrne, yet the song construction has elements akin to Blur's 'Tender'.
The most personal, and most moving, of all the tracks is saved for last. The spoken-word reminiscence that becomes both conclusion and spiritual anchor to 'Sew Change' is 'You Are What You Wear'. Knitting together separate threads and emotions, it is an emotional assemblage of childhood memories. Memories of a father who worked at the local knitwear factory; memories of an uncle and of the Citroen car that he owned; and memories of the brand new v-neck sweater that he wore to the funeral of said uncle. "Fringe benefits of the job", his father told him.
'Sew Change' is a sensitive and thought-provoking look at both the past and the present, and the changes that now separate the two. Rezo capture the essence of each with an exquisite and harmonious flow, and a strong sense of melody, and deliver a message of hope and love that helps carry us forward.
David Auckland
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