The Child of Lov is one of modern music’s few mysteries, in that even the internet cannot shed much light on the artist, a preposterous and farcical concept in our digital age.
However, from the little we can ascertain, this chap from the Netherlands has at very least, a hand full of talent and some fine industry connections.
Already branded with goodness in the form of contributions by Blur and Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn and English crust punk band Doom, The Child of Lov’s self titled debut is a pretty good way to commence one’s musical trajectory.
The album was recorded in Albarn’s own Studio 13 in London and the early appearing “Heal,” released as a single in late 2012, is scattered with an alluring high wail reminiscent of Cee Lo Green or Gnarles Barkley, and is a pacey and energetic beginning to the debut. Shortly after however, this lively tone descends with the arrival of “One Day,” the track featuring Albarn that is slower, and loaded with weightier beats.
“Living The Circle” maintains this unhurried pace, but is undercut with a whirring, swimming beat and melody that beckons the listener to dip their head addictively in sync.
“Owl” featuring Doom, is perhaps unsurprisingly, the darkest, most solemn track on the debut, with an Arabian sounding acoustic melody undercutting grittier, graver vocals. The lyrics give the sense that an ill fate awaits us, forecasting the ominous arrival of the “wise owl, snatching all night.”
“Fly” sings of being “down by the river Georgia,” which seems far stretched (and far removed) for an inhabitant of central Europe, yet the sound and swelling vocals do not lack sincerity in the slightest, and are pumping along all the way to the song’s fade away.
“Warrior” name-checks the little known artist, in a slightly cheesy, but not offensive way, with “I am a mountain top, I am a Child of Love, look in the mirror, I am a warrior,” and has a gospel-choir element too it that lathers the end of the album with a welcome sweetness.
The Child of Lov, who has thus far managed to maintain his anonymity, his debut elicits impressive musical and lyrical versatility, and provides a range of emotions on which prospective fans can hang their hats, irrespective of their sentiments about the album’s creator.
