Andy Clockwise

The Socialite

By: Nick Habisch

 

Rating:

The term “indie music” is one that I utterly dislike. It really seems like every artist labels themselves as indie just to ride that hipster wave, but the Australian artist Andy Clockwise’s latest, entitled The Socialite actually manages to qualify for this immense label.

With upbeat songs like “Love and War”, “Ode to the Stars” and Open Relationship, as well as slower ballads like “The Casanova” and “The Man and the Monkey”, Andy Clockwise’s album is sure diverse. Musically it shifts between soft piano led songs, to dance heavy beats, to guitar-oriented songs and everything in-between. While diversity is good, it can’t help but highlight the flaws of this album.

While the music on The Socialite is solid, the vocals leave something to be desired. I’m not sure if it’s Andy’s voice or style, but throughout multiple points the vocals just sound bored and uninspired. There just doesn’t seem to be a ton of passion pushed into the songs, and for an album as diverse as this, passion needs to be the glue holding it all together.

Whether listeners will enjoy this album really boils down to their taste. Some tracks may excite and some may bore. The Socialite is overall a decent record, with solid music floating behind the bland vocals, and it may be worth a quick investigation if it sounds to be your musical cup of tea.