David Lewis
Album: Old World New World
Label: Way Out West
Tracks: 12
Website: https://myspace.com/davidlewisfornow

David's British in origin and couches his self-penned songs in a classic early-70s idiom that more than anything else recalls Graham Nash. Old World New World is his fourth album, and contains a dozen tracks that carry forward the torch that was lit so persuasively on album number three, 2007's Ghost Rhymes, which scored with its understated, often whimsical reflections on life in the here and now.

Similarly, the new record's songs also prove a model of brevity and economy, being simply catchy and of hushed expressivity, with no unnecessary baggage or flamboyant gestures. In production terms, Old World New World is once again co-produced by Chris von Sneidern and Wesley Stace (aka John Wesley Harding), and comes across as comparatively unadorned in terms of supporting texturings: uncluttered, and with a fresh, open sound. David's own singing voice is as sweet as ever, with a laid-back vibe and floatily appealing tone, while genially strummed acoustic guitars are the order of the day with no distracting soloing.

In fact, this time round there's little in the way of instrumental embellishment; in the latter regard, percussion elements on Darkness Overcome add just enough drama, and most other tracks enjoy other subtleties of texture, while on the other hand occasional studio effects may feel a touch out of place, as on World Without Shadows and a cloying keyboard part on The Sweet Hereafter. In all other respects though, Old World New World is quite exquisitely constructed, making for a gently persuasive 34-minute listening experience.

David Kidman