Patrick James is the latest addition to the overcrowded popular folk cluster and his All About To Change EP has all the right hallmarks for success.
Its brisk easy listening styles and loveable harmonies make their mark early. Piano-led opener ‘Brighter Lights’ has the sort of building sentimentality to make your heart flutter, while the banjo twang of the title track is just upbeat enough for you hum along as well.
James’ voice and lyrical style is nothing to shun either. Folk fans are likely to fall for his beautiful vocals as he sings, “I’ve been through money, it’s come and its gone”. Such lines are easy to relate to and undoubtedly a key component in the singers success.
However while All About To Change is a consistent and well-rounded EP, James may have boarded the folk boat a little too late. His vocals are reminiscent of Boy & Bear’s Dave Hosking, with his songs sounding like quintessentially Australian folk which other contemporaries such as Matt Corby have nailed to a tee.
Each track on the EP brings to mind striking influences from abroad as well. ‘Brighter Lights’ echoes Mumford And Sons, as ‘Burn Away’ holds similarities to James Vincent McMorrow’s debut album, while closer ‘Stay’ has a Bon Iver feel.
James’ inherent lack of originality is the only fault to be found on this EP. With clean production James sounds more than ready to unleash a competent debut album.
While something to set him apart from his influences and contemporaries is essential to his career’s longevity, the fact that the singer sounds as accomplished as he does at these early stages brings hope that he might achieve this next time around.
