24 Apr 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Tom Lee-Richards - Mini LP Review: Out of the Oddness

05 Mar 2018 // A review by Corinne Rutherford

Tom Lee-Richards is a solo artist described as an emotive storyteller. A native of Whangarei, he began his musical journey at the young age of 4. Tom has been experimenting with sounds and lyrics most of his life. 14 saw him gigging and experimenting on the guitar, by which time he had developed a colourful beat boxing language. Having completed a BA in Jazz Bass and being front man in a Reggae group, he moved to Melbourne, where his most recent band Catch Release landed in the top 3 of AMRAP’S charts with a Soul-Folk E.P described as “masterful” by Tone Deaf. Completing his first EU tour including shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Tom Lee-Richards is now launching his debut mini LP Out of the Oddness to be accompanied by a symbolic and visually impressive video.

Eight tracks based around feelings and emotions, “exploring themes of separation, adulthood, change and loss”.
 

Out of the Oddness is the title track to this mini LP, it also happens to be Tom's recently released single of the same name. The track itself is reminiscent of his first day at primary school in a big new city where he had the misfortune of breaking his arm. It captures his childhood experiences and perceptions beautifully, the story he told was a poignant tale of pain and loss. The video to accompany the track is fresh, evocative and slightly whimsical, we see him in his childhood school playground “witnessing his escapism into both real and imaginative childhood memories.” The addition of large wings, adding a symbolic touch to the visual impact of the video.

The entire mini-LP is a mix of clean beats and deliciously layered vocals, injected with a jazzy vibe, it has an Indie feel to it, but electronic pop would be a good description. Out of the Oddness is an expressive mix of nostalgic, sensitive storytelling. Tom Lee-Richards distinctive artistic vision guides us through these 8 tracks effortlessly.

The album cover is a creative concept capturing Tom standing under a stark tree on the beach with a yacht tangled in its branches. Clearly well thought out album art infused with a personal meaning. The visuals and images are of the highest standard, all aspects working together to allow the story to unfold in a unique and expressive way.

To celebrate the release of Out of the Oddness Mini-LP, Tom will be touring New Zealand through March and April, 2018.

★★★★ (4 stars)


Review written by Corinne Rutherford

 

 

About Tom Lee-Richards

"A Stunning video and song, one we can't get enough of at MTV" - MTV on Tom Lee-Richards' recent single 'Beside You'.

Just finishing his 1st EU tour including shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Tom just released the new single Out of the Oddness premiering on Chicago's Pop Matters (bit.ly/2nvOCO4). He's now preparing for a NZ, Aus and EU tour supporting his upcoming Mini-LP of the same name.

Following on from Tom's music video Madness chosen for a number of international film festivals, Beside You's dystopian future video set in Otago was recently MTV Upload of the week. It also premiered on FolkRadio UK and has been featured in Berlin's VICE Kaltblut magazine's Top 5 among other international sites.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Tom Lee-Richards

Releases

Spinning For Shape
Year: 2022
Type: EP
Out of the Oddness
Year: 2018
Type: EP

Other Reviews By Corinne Rutherford

Ersha Island - EP Review: Back To Our Roots
29 Feb 2024 // by Corinne Rutherford
Classically trained duo Dani and Tee are Ersha Island, Auckland based musicians with a contemporary style which has been described as indie-folk. They began their journey in Guangzhou, China on Ersha Island, hence their name.
Read More...
Eden Mulholland - Album Review: A Bee Might Bite My Nose
21 Dec 2023 // by Corinne Rutherford
Funny, Kooky and gently melancholic at times is one description of respected Australasian composer, songwriter and collaborator Eden Mulholland (Ngati Porou). His most recent release is channeled by a very cute teddy bear.
Read More...
Jessica Leigh - EP Review: Lightbeam
03 Nov 2023 // by Corinne Rutherford
Wellington based Nelsonian, singer, songwriter and producer Jessica Leigh has recently released her third EP Lightbeam. Changing tack from her previous EP in 2021, the acoustic guitars and strings have given way to full synthpop sound with an 80's inspired vibe.
Read More...
Michèle Ducray - EP Review: Throne Of Mine
05 Oct 2023 // by Corinne Rutherford
Mysterious and sinister themes such as horror combined with the colourful characteristics of circus life are the inspiration behind emerging dark-pop artist Michèle Ducray's debut EP Throne Of Mine. The balance of both dark and light create a fresh and original sound that is complex as it is identifiable.
Read More...
Sam Heselwood - EP Review: Home Is Where The Heart Is
19 Sep 2023 // by Corinne Rutherford
Ex rugby player turned singer-songwriter Sam Heselwood has recently released his 5 track EP Home Is Where The Heart Is. Originally from Christchurch, the indie-pop musician has delivered poignant, beautifully composed music which aims straight for the heart.
Read More...
Strawpeople - Album Review: Knucklebones
29 Aug 2023 // by Corinne Rutherford
For the first time in 19 years, slick electro-pop duo Strawpeople (Fiona McDonald ex-The Headless Chickens, and Paul Casserly) have released an album sparking early 2000's nostalgia. Knucklebones is a fusion of their iconic sound mixed with a collection of entirely new material.
Read More...
Sofia Machray - EP Review: Language Of Flowers
01 Aug 2023 // by Corinne Rutherford
Wellington based Sofia Machray has been described as an “eclectic master of indie singer-songwriter gone rouge,” her recently released debut EP Language Of Flowers consists of 6 ethereal indie dream-rock tracks which have been beautifully constructed. Inspired by her love of flowers in particular the similarity in evolution between human nature from tiny seed to full bloom.
Read More...
Mitch and his Guitar - Single Review: Mine In My Mind
18 Jul 2023 // by Corinne Rutherford
Mitch and his Guitar is a solo musical artist from Hawera in Taranaki, diversifying from wedding singing to deliver original soft pop songs inspired by the likes of Ed Sheeran, Passenger and Hollow Coves. Mine In My Mind is one of three tracks which will be followed by his debut album.
Read More...
View All Articles By Corinne Rutherford

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • TOO SWEET
    Hozier
  • BEAUTIFUL THINGS
    Benson Boone
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • I LIKE THE WAY YOU KISS ME
    Artemas
  • SATURN
    SZA
  • STICK SEASON
    Noah Kahan
  • END OF BEGINNING
    Djo
  • LIKE THAT
    Future And Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar
  • ESPRESSO
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
    Ariana Grande
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem