Review Summary: A career retrospective in one listen…
Tim Bowness has evolved significantly as a solo artist over the past decade. Although the shy, but underrated 2004 debut
My Hotel Year mostly flew under the radar, he re-emerged strongly ten years later with the lovely
Abandoned Dancehall Dreams. The latter established a more cohesive sound thanks to a collective of contributors who still help expand Tim’s visions today. With each LP, the artist grew more confident and decided to approach different styles, especially on 2019’s
Flowers at the Scene. Thankfully, Bowness’ latest effort,
Butterfly Mind maintained the same approach, displaying various bits from his influences and projects over the past 40 years. Yes, it seems shocking, however, the man started his musical career in 1982 under the moniker Always the Stranger. The eponymous song here is a tribute to his humble beginnings, whereas its retro futuristic pop sound is augmented by silky vocals, as well as a smooth blend of delayed staccato and atmospheric guitar leads. There is also the book two-part tune “Say Your Goodbyes”, going through several motions, all leaning heavily on ‘80s synths. It also introduces the jazzy flute solos that accompany multiple tracks on the record. Meanwhile, “We Feel” hits harder with moody bass lines and occasional distorted guitars. There are various electronic touches wrapped around the main groove, plus the melodic chorus nicely contrasts the other segments. This is a sort of natural, more confident sequel to “It’s the World”, plus, you can feel Steven Wilson's mixing in the overall vibe. Moreover, “Only a Fool”, a playful post punk ditty with catchy choruses and a dense instrumental is something I wouldn’t have heard Tim pulling off a few years ago. Nevertheless, he challenged himself and did it while making it a fun listen too.
Soon,
Butterfly Mind retreats into mid-to-downtempo territory, featuring familiar output. The tender, trip hop influenced “It’s Easier to Love” grows into a bittersweet yet soothing ballad. Same goes for “Lost Player” and “About the Light That Hits the Forest Floor”, each combining Bowness’ lovely croon with layers of lush synthesizers, gentle guitar and piano chords. Both share a nostalgic atmosphere, still, there always seems to be a dim light shining at the end of each story. The album reaches a climax with “Dark Nevada Dream”, an 8-minute epic, the type Tim excels at. Amid the breezy, melancholic piano notes, guitars and sound scapes occasionally embellish, until a Hammond organ takes the lead halfway through. The front man beautifully sings a tale of falling apart in the wake of personal and professional failures. His lyrical focus on small details of daily life always fascinated me, being able to often capture relatable, intimate situations in few verses.
At this point, whoever listened to Tim Bowness’ music knows what to expect, however, the man still manages to surprise his listeners on each record. No two projects sound the same in his discography and
Butterfly Mind is another lovely journey of an eclectic prog-tinged/art pop nature.
