And for someone who’s been through a considerable amount of “stuff” his life Sam Genders’ LP is a remarkably accessible one.
And for someone who’s been through a considerable amount of “stuff” his life Sam Genders’ LP is a remarkably accessible one.
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This is a really fine album by ex-Tunng singer Sam Genders, one that creeps up on you unawares over time – we’ve been listening to Black Light for a few months without really looking to review it, rather we just kept playing it seduced by its simple, very human way of looking at things.
It does feel then, that this record has a certain amount of time on its side, and as such instills a sort of detached calmness on the listener. Blessed with brevity in the telling, the songs just state their case and move on. You never think that tracks like the title track, Ghost Lit or Appetite are looking to win you round or there as a justification of Sam Genders’ worldview: that there’s a considerable emotional background to their creation is a given and a major attraction, but Genders seems to be openly wondering why he should waste too many words and notes raking over old coals. Fair enough.
And for someone who’s been through a considerable amount of “stuff” his life Sam Genders’ LP is a remarkably accessible one. The songs are functional, simple and direct; sometimes possessing subtle and extremely effective melodic shifts like Mills and Peninsula. At times it reminded me of the last couple of LPs by the Ex, with their rational and understated delivery and ultimately hopeful outlook.
In many ways it’s a tremendous coffee table LP, you can imagine it being played at nice gatherings where people talk about jobs and childcare, but that’s not a criticism from us as it’s a grown up, adult LP, one that deals in the real, “every day”, mundane world and recognises that this world has a real soul too.