Simon Hirst - Single Review: No Turning Back
Hamilton Singer-songwriter Simon Hirst has released a new single No Turning Back. This is his first new material since the Feet of God collection from 2018.
Those familiar with the work on Feet of God will find recognisable elements here. This is mid-tempo guitar rock, with melody to the fore, impeccably polished through the recording and production process. Hirst takes direct input in this regard, with expert and experienced input from Pat Kuhtze on drums and Scott Seabright handling engineering and mixing.
No Turning Back opens emphatically with the key weapon in Hirst's armoury - his voice - which is in commanding shape and reminiscent, to these ears anyway, of Diorama-era Daniel Johns, which is really no mean feat. Throughout, it's the voice that dominates this song. Melody is such an important factor in this man's work. Not only is the melodic construction rock- solid, but the delivery itself, expressed through the dynamics, phrasing, range, and timbre make for maximum impact. There's that quintessential blend of melancholy with a yearning, upward-looking mood that evokes the very best of the pop-rock tradition.
An extra key element that shows an accomplished songwriter at work is the structure. The first chorus- and you’d best believe it's catchy- hits inside the one-minute mark, a cleverly constructed bridge happens at exactly the right point, and a well-crafted coda rounds off the shape of the song perfectly. No unnecessary repetition, and no wasted notes either.
This song feels like more of an assertive musical statement from Hirst than much of Feet of God and is fine work indeed.
About Simon Hirst
Over the following years, Hirst became an increasingly popular performer due to his musicianship and live shows that effortlessly seem to include great audience interaction as well as great performances. These attributes led to him being flown around the Southern Hemisphere performing, and playing up to 220 gigs a year.
In 2015 his debut EP Shining in Silver was released. It garnered good attention and had critics drawing comparisons from his sound and song writing to the likes of Neil Finn, R.E.M, and Sir Dave Dobbyn. The EP also drew commendation from legendary mastering engineer Scott Hull of Masterdisk, New York. High praise from someone who has worked with the likes of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and John Mayer to name but a few. After touring and promoting Shining in Silver for the next 18 months, Hirst booked into Neil Finn’s Roundhead Studio’s to start his debut LP.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Simon Hirst
Releases
Other Reviews By Trevor Faville
Ivy - EP Review: For The Sake Of It
14 Mar 2023 // by Trevor Faville
Ivy are a band hailing from Dunedin, and For The Sake Of It is a five song collection which expands on their debut release single Stranger, which came out at the end of 2022. As might be expected from a band who adds the words “alternative” and “prog” to their description, Ivy are ambitious musically, and have a very broad reach when it comes to lyrical inspiration.
Read More...
Sarah Valintine - Single Review: Words
19 Dec 2022 // by Trevor Faville
Sarah Valintine is a Tamaki Makaurau-Based poet and songwriter. Words is her latest release, and it's a part of a more expansive project called the Pop Poetry Collection.
Read More...
Christine White - Single Review: Raven
14 Oct 2022 // by Trevor Faville
Christine White is an experienced and accomplished composer, with an impressive musical background. Raven is the first part of what is being described as a ‘multifaceted release’ called The Raven Project and is available on video and audio formats.
Read More...
Dillastrate - Single Review: Taku Aroha
09 Sep 2022 // by Trevor Faville
Dillastrate is made up of drummer/vocalist Henare 'H' Kaa and Tim Driver who handles Keys/loops/vocals, adding MC Luis Mill for live work. This group comes with a background of considerable musical skill and experience and brings this all to bear with their latest single Taku Aroha.
Read More...
Goldsmith Baynes - Single/Video Review: Hei Kawe i a Au
17 Aug 2022 // by Trevor Faville
Allana Goldsmith and Mark Baynes have worked together for a decade and form the creative heart of Goldsmith Baynes. They both have extensive experience in the international and local worlds of Jazz and have brought considerable skills and knowledge to this single Hei Kawe i a Au which is from their upcoming debut album E Rere Ra.
Read More...
Nuggiez - Album Review: Toil In The Time of Monsters
09 Jun 2022 // by Trevor Faville
In something of a classic Punk tradition, the opening paragraph in the press release for this release begins with some social commentary, and a position statement- establishing Nuggiez’ attitude and intent before mentioning the band or its music, and if ever there is an appropriate introduction to this band, that would be it.Nuggiez are based in Tamaki Makaurau , and have been evolving the material for Toil In The Time of Monsters over a period of quite some time.
Read More...
Kyla Greening - Single Review: Rich Girl
31 Mar 2022 // by Trevor Faville
Kyla Greening hails from Cambridge, and while Rich Girl is her first release as such, she is already known to many in the Waikato as an experienced performer and very capable singer who is comfortable in range of music situations. Fair to say that for many it could be said that for many, this release has been keenly anticipated, Greening combines three key elements into Rich Girl - A thorough understanding of RnB/ Soul songwriting and arranging, sensitive and intelligent production/arrangements, and a sophisticated, melodic sensibility.
Read More...
Ersha Island - Double Single Review: Good Day/Gut Feeling
09 Mar 2022 // by Trevor Faville
Ersha Island consists of Auckland based siblings Danielle Hao-Aickin (vocals and keys) and Tee Hao-Aickin (violin) both of whom bring extensive musical training and experience into this foray into a more contemporary genre. Quite a bit of press attention has already gone the way of this duo, and even a cursory read of this reveals two highly motivated women with a clear vision of what they are doing- in terms of both the musical intent and cultural perspective.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- BOY'S A LIAR PT. 2
PinkPantheress And Ice Spice - FLOWERS
Miley Cyrus - KILL BILL
SZA - DIE FOR YOU (REMIX)
The Weeknd And Ariana Grande - LAST NIGHT
Morgan Wallen - SURE THING
Miguel - PEOPLE
Libianca - CALM DOWN
Rema And Selena Gomez - ESCAPISM.
RAYE feat. 070 Shake - PLAYERS
Coi Leray
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
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 Problem
