❉ A beautifully crafted album that has the confidence and grace of a band at their peak.
“See You Around has a rich sound and interplay between members that makes it sound as if they’ve been together all their lives…”
If you’re familiar with the phrase ‘I’m With Her’ it probably initially brings back bad memories: although it was a worthy idea it was a hashtag associated with Hillary Clinton’s eventually failed Presidential bid. And let’s face it, we really don’t need to be reminded of what happened next.
It’s a tad unfortunate for the band of the same name then that the hashtag hijacked their name. I’m with Her date back to an impromptu show in 2014 and a subsequent tour, so refreshingly they’re already a battle hardened unit before reaching the studio for their debut. And it shows. Despite a varied history including solo careers and other bands See You Around has a rich sound and interplay between members that makes it sound as if they’ve been together all their lives. In particular the album’s highlighted by some gorgeous harmonies, particularly on lead single Game To Lose. It’s a restless album, reflecting its being written in Vermont and recorded in England with lyrics of songs such as Overland reflecting a desire not to settle in one place.
Appropriately there are feminist undertones to the album too: Ryland (Under the Apple Tree) is soft and seductive but one with the woman always in control. This is an album which benefits from the empowerment of the artists: they’ve taken their time to grow together organically as a band and establish a fluid, trusting relationship. The result is a beautifully crafted album that has the confidence and grace of a band at their peak, and one likely to long outlast the brief half-life of mere hashtag.
❉ I’m With Her – ‘See You Around’ released by Decca, February 16, 2018. Click here to order!
