A unique blend of soul, Americana, indie, jazz and pop, I Believe is a thing of stark, subtle beauty and also a document of an extremely difficult time.
A song written after its author’s wife experienced a crisis during their IVF journey, it is truly rooted in despair and desperation – but you’d never know based on the disarming sound of the music. On the smooth, considered surface, it feels light and breezy, easy to listen to and also to love. But underneath its glossy, glittering veneer it bubbles with serious sentiment and severity.
Smooth, soulful, jazzy yacht-rock is the backdrop to an introspective and earnest examination of mistakes made and opportunities missed. Hindsight is 20/20 and it’s easy to look back and dwell on things we would’ve done differently – or could’ve done differently – if only we had the chance to try again. But in the moments themselves we all do what we think we should, and really that’s all any of us can do.
Hartley explains: “The pendulum swung from excitement to horror over the span of a weekend, testing our marriage as I learned what it truly meant to be my partner’s rock.” The lyrics give us a peek into the mindset of their writer in what must’ve been one of the most challenging times that he (and his wife) have been through. Indeed, almost the entirety of the first verse – “Thought we’d add another member / Nearly lost before we gained / Could’ve been a better partner / You cried for help but no one came / Like ripples in an empty pond / Should’ve got back on that plane” – is excruciating.
Like a musical fusion of Steely Dan, Lillie Mae, Randy Newman and Ruby Amanfu, I Believe is an exemplary mix of components that result in something that sounds entirely individualistic and massively affecting.
Enjoyable on multiple levels – depending on how deep you choose to delve – I Believe is a resounding success.
Words by Greg Hancock
The post Alex Hartley Lays His Soul Bare ‘I Believe’ appeared first on Right Chord Music Blog.
