Album Review: The Achery Sessions

Less is more!

It’s a cliché right, but like most clichés it is true (sometimes).

Add space, don’t push it, and allow the listener to fill the gaps.

Cool, eh?

Often, when it works, it works.

The Achery Sessions is a collection of songs by Kaden Hura-McIntosh, and they work damn fine.

Following the intro of …, opener Ride has a very cool – almost sixties – vibe to it. The core ingredients are all here with the added musical sauce being a bit of Ukulele for a twist on the norm.

It is the key ingredient. It punctuates and punches through, but it leaves space for the vocals and lyrics to stay upfront. These songs aren’t saturated.

There is loads of energy that comes across even without the usual full electric bombast that most bands default to.

This definitely isn’t George Formby’s Leaning On A Lamppost.

The track A Drink Tonight has an Ed Sheeran sheen to it, albeit a lot cooler, especially when the driving chorus kicks in.

Kaden can write a tune and tell a story, and he has added in several nice little touches that make all the difference, such as steering clear of formulaic song structures. It all flows though, each song connecting and taking the listener on a journey.

Standing out in this way makes me want to listen time and again, and to also focus on the lyrics, to go on that journey that weaves through these songs.

Kaden can also sing in that effortless way that complements the vibe of the music. I would argue that his vocal talent could be pushed further. It feels like there is untapped depth to that vocal so it will be great to see how that develops.

This album is a hidden gem.

One you need to discover. Perfect for chilling out to but also for dancing around to and having a great sing-along just like I did in the car today on a long drive which was soundtracked by The Achery Sessions.

If these songs are allowed to fly then they will soar.

Memory in particular is a standout track for me and could be huge. I would love to see it put through a blender and turned into a remix or collab effort.

It reminds me of something that Foals would write.

This album is raw and shows huge potential and I genuinely hope Kaden takes and grows this into something special.

It is great to be quirky, unique and original, something every artist MUST aim for, and Kaden shows his uniqueness in spades with this collection of songs.

Listen. Be open. I hope you love it

Less is more.

Let the arrows fly.