I was hugely impressed by Michael P Cullen‘s album ‘True Believer back in 2014, and it is great to see him back with a new track, ‘Do You Believe’. Cullen, based in Sydney, has one of those enigmatic, baritone voices that recalls Nick Cave, Leonard Cohen, Tindersticks and The National, and, like those singers and bands, writes deeply personal, poetic narratives. But he is no mere pastiche of these artists: he has carved out his own unique niche mixing sharp lyrics with melody and soaring choruses.
In this song, Cullen, a multi-instrumentalist, is joined by drummer Tim Powles (The Church) who also contributed to production and engineering duties along with Cullen. There is a beautiful expressive melancholia to ‘Do You Believe’ that is augmented by the emotion packed video starring Morgane Housset, produced, directed and edited by Graham Gall for Jarbo Productions:
This is a pop sensibility of the highest order tempered by an indie minor-key wistfulness, infused with heartache and longing. Exceptional stuff.
The single is out on 6 April 2018 – more information on how to get it here. While you are there, check out his live album recorded at one Sydney’s coolest venues, the Lazybones Lounge.
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