Album Review: The Golden Hour – Lives Like The City

Following the release of the sparkling new single ‘Postcard Summer’, The Golden Hour is now releasing the vibrant new album ‘Lives Like The City’

Jam packed with 80 synth pop vibes, from the the album’s intro ‘Eyes Wide Open’, The Golden Hour sets the tone with an uplifting, Stranger Things-esque, swelling synth soundscape. Progressing into the prior mentioned lead single ‘Postcard Summer’, the solo artist first introduces his emotive yet commanding and charismatic lead vocal. Uplifting with a pleasing brightness to the chorus tinted, analogue synth sounds, the track manages to balance warming nostalgia with an uplifting sound pallet and a melancholic reflective lead vocal to create a brilliant alt-pop tune.

The album’s title track ‘Lives Like The City’ continues with this formula, this time relying on a pulsing arpeggiator and slap back delay coated lead lines to a driving soundscape under the White Lies-esque lead vocal.

Elsewhere on the album, ‘Your Surrender’ captures an element of Bronski Beat – Smalltown Boy, while the note selection of ‘Fading Lights’ is reminiscent of CHVRCHES and Francis & The Lights.

Swelling and dark interlude ‘Stokholm Syndrome’ breaks things up before ‘Mysterious Love’ offers an uplifting, epic love tune with subtly processed vocals. ‘Home’ and ‘Kings Of The Night’ continue to showcase The Golden Hour’s delver approach, blending retro 80s sounds, pulsing drum machines and bright synths with reflective vocals to capture a modern, yet warningly familiar sound.

Closing with ‘The New Tomorrow’, the album ends on an aptly epic pop note.

Opening up about the new album, The Golden Hour shares:

“This album is a beautiful reminder of who I am. It shows me the struggles and triumphs in my past, while guiding me to what’s next for myself.

I feel like these songs have helped stitch together all those little pieces that make up your identity with an honest listening experience; it gives you insight into where they came from & how we can overcome anything if need-be!

The emotions brought out by these songs are so raw and real, I feel them deep inside my chest. There’s moments worth smiling about even when life comes with its problems; it just makes everything seem manageable somehow.”

A really strong collection of tracks showcasing The Golden Hours unquestionable ability to write affecting soundscapes and catchy melodies. This is an album of 14 tracks that demonstrate a completeness to the sound and a striking musical identity from the solo artist. Excellent soundscapes and always solid, emotive writing with elegant moments of beauty.

Listen below: