Review Summary: Forget me.
Dear Martha,
I'm sure you did not expect this letter, seeing how we broke up so many years ago, but something recently happened that made me think about our time again. Remember when I said to you back then that I always envisioned things that happened with music? Because I still do and I never lied. So, as I was saying, recently I heard this bluesy song with strings and distorted guitars with the singer screaming his lungs out over heartbreak. I know you probably think I am being cheesy, but...
How do you follow up a debut that seems so defining of your style? What can you change without losing your own little edge that made you so special? This seems to be the main question that went into the making of this album. Because, with all that has changed between Summer and Autumn, this is certainly very recognizable still the same Andrew that made an album full of summery love-songs. You can just feel it, this is the same dude. But, following the concept of seasons really smoothly, times have changed. The hopeful young singer turned heartbroken and confused. The layers of his optimism slowly begin to fall to the ground.
The first notable change is the bigger instrumentation used on this album. Still completely played by Andrew, this is just a testament to his musical skill. Violins, banjos, trumpets, every song is layered masterfully while never overpowered, with just the right amount of instruments to get the point across. Every instrument gets it's own little gorgeous melody, shining bright but always being complimentary to what's happening in context of the music.
Speaking about the music, Andrews songwriting took three big steps forward on this album. Each song ebbs and flows, climaxes around every corner, weird time signatures, complex melody-lines, influences from a broader musical spectrum, everything is here. The most notable styles of music being explored on this album, however, are grunge, blues, folk and jazz.
Talking about highlights on this album is a little redundant, since every song has it's own perfect spot on this album, creating an experience quite like a streaming river. Once you have fallen in, you can't get out anymore. However, if I was to give recommendations, I would say you should listen to the soul-crushing Love #1, the impressive Never, with it's twist and turns in time signatures or the mighty title track, which just builds and builds on itself until you scream along and feel his final plea to be forgotten by his lover with all of your being. Also notable is the masterful switch on the beautiful O! What A Lie!, which has to be heard to be believed.
This is a great record and you should listen to this. Stepping out of his nostalgia-coated first steps, here comes an amazing young composer who captures your interest, ears and spirit masterfully. It doesn't matter how much you enjoyed Summer or how much you did not, this is appealing, comfortable and even slightly challenging, engaging music that will take you on many trips. And most of all, it established Andrew Huang as one of the most interesting songwriters to ever come from Toronto.
...and then I kinda saw myself with a guitar in hand fading into a shroud of atmosphere.
I don't even expect you to answer this letter, I know I am weird for doing this, but I don't know, I had to. I'm sorry if I confused you. However, if you, by chance, want to talk, I am always willing to. But I guess you won't want to. I miss you.
Yours truly,
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