Review Summary: I had a long time in the sun.
How nostalgic of a person are you? How much nostalgia can you bear, are you willing to jump into?
There is this weird feeling coming up when you first hear the slightly distorted opening chords of the title track of this album. Have I heard this before? Possibly. As Andrew softly sings his lyrics of summery days in the suburbs it is hard not to relate. Then, a guitar solo comes in. Of course. Maybe it is a bit too crunchy for this song, but it fits. You begin to relax, this is going to be an easy, easy listen.
Andrew Huang is an interesting performer. Performed entirely by him, this album is an album of lost love, found love and forgotten love portrayed by a diverse set of styles. While he travels through the worlds of grungey-folk, americana and ballads it is admirable that he never really loses a certain red string throughout this album. The production is clear, every instrument get's a comfortable place to shine, be it his clean drumming, his uncomplex, yet fitting guitar playing, keyboards, ukuleles, whatever you wish.
For being rather young when recording this album, his songwriting is nothing short of spectacular. Albeit always sounding familiar, Andrew certainly knows how to switch things up, kick songs into gear and keep your attention all the time. Just when you think a song may get repetitive, heartfelt acapella choirs come in, like in the song In The Sun, the guitar solo in the title track, or the massive swell of Oh No. Everything clicks and falls into place fittingly and perfectly. Each track sounds different than the one before, making the album flow nice and never get too redundant.
His lyrics are very heartfelt and it is really difficult not to feel his pain in songs like Sublet, which is carried by reggae-influenced guitars and funky bass-lines, or his yearning for a committed relationship in Stay, which has a very understated banjo line going throughout the song. To add to the effect, Andrew has a unusually emotive voice, which seemingly can carry any song he lends his slightly nasal but always beautiful crooning.
This is a very easy album to like with its warm and welcoming melodies and cozy instrumentation. However, this album, although being expertly executed in every aspect, is an album that kinda strives on the nostalgia of the listener. But if you search for a heartfelt and emotional tour through summery music, there should be nothing in your way of enjoying this album.
As the last, echoey piano chords of I'm Going To Marry You fade out, you begin to sigh. As fun it is to relive these old memories, life has to go on. You stand up and get yourself a glass of water. You look outside and see the first few leaves falling from the trees. It seems like Autumn is just around the corner.
