Album Review: Songs of Old

David Sutton is back with a new album, Songs of Old. It opens with the title track, which begins with the sounds of a bustling venue or pub before launching into a crisp and beautiful track. The song holds a lovely groove throughout, supported by great vocals and backing harmonies. It’s a powerful and energetic start to the album.

David is a multi-instrumentalist, and he shows his versatility and skill set throughout this record. He has been incredibly prolific in recent years with multiple album releases. There is a line in the second song, I’m Only Sleeping, that says: “Everyone seems to think I’m lazy, I don’t mind, I think they’re crazy.” When you consider just how much music David has released over the past decade, the lyric feels particularly fitting. I’m Only Sleeping is a beautiful song with harmonies that at times feel Beatles-esque.

Track three, Dear Landlord, is a beautiful letter to a landlord. It opens with the line “Dear landlord, please don’t put a price on my soul.” The song is full of vivid imagery and a bassline that grooves nicely underneath it. This is followed by Train Leaves Here This Morning, which opens with a crisp guitar part and another standout bassline. It also features a wonderful harmonica section that feels deeply nostalgic and warm.

There is also a beautiful cover of Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door, complete with a lovely string section. It adds something fresh to a classic song. David manages to make the track his own without being disrespectful to the original. It’s a truly lovely cover.

Queen Jane Approximately again opens with some lovely strings and beautiful drums. The guitar work is clean and really adds to the groove of the track. Fisherman’s Blues brings yet another energy to the album. It feels like a song that pushes Sutton slightly out of his comfort zone, particularly vocally, as he stretches his range and does a great job with it. Like all his songs, you can feel that every detail has been carefully thought out and arranged.

The title Songs of Old feels fitting. There is a classic and timeless quality to this record. David’s songwriting is clever and witty, often touching on everyday life and the world around him. His harmonies are simply beautiful, and every track has been layered and mixed in a way that makes the album feel full and well rounded.

This is a record that could easily slot into the 1970’s just as comfortably as it does in 2026. Sutton’s musicianship shines throughout, and this album adds a great deal to his catalogue. If you love music from the 60’s and 70’s, there is something here for you. It’s hard to compare directly to any one artist, but at times there are elements that feel inspired by The Beatles, while at other moments there are hints of Dr. Hook.

It is a wonderful record that Sutton should be incredibly proud of.