Album Review: Richard Hawley - Standing At The Sky’s Edge

4 June 2012 | 7:51 pm | Dominique Wall

Sincerely touching, lyrically poetic and musically interesting, it seems Hawley has not been afraid to shake things up and push his songwriting further, and it is a move that has paid off handsomely.

Richard Hawley's last offering, Truelove's Gutter, was, surprisingly, a decidedly stripped-back affair compared to his earlier work. After an almost three-year sabbatical, he's back with his seventh album, Standing At The Sky's Edge, and, once again, a different sound.

She Brings The Sunlight may be the opener to this album, but it's in no rush whatsoever to get started. With its atmospheric, Eastern, gypsy-esque tinges, you can't help but close your eyes and be carried away by the hypnotic beat and well-paced melody. Just as you get truly comfortable, though, along comes Standing At The Sky's Edge, with its decidedly Western flavour. The title track is the weakest point on the album, sadly, but only in that it is let down by a couple of predictable, somewhat (dare I say it?) clichéd lyrics early on. Once you make it past them, it's plain sailing thereafter. Interestingly, it is the only song of that style on the album.

The remainder the tracks are closer to Hawley's usual work. The breathtaking Don't Stare At The Sun is worthy of mention due to its sheer beauty. Hawley and his long-time co-producer and bandmate, Colin Elliot, have once again seen to production.

Sincerely touching, lyrically poetic and musically interesting, it seems Hawley has not been afraid to shake things up and push his songwriting further, and it is a move that has paid off handsomely. As you make your way through this album, the question that pops up in your head time and time again is, “Why is Richard Hawley so underrated?” This is something that must be changed and hopefully Standing At The Sky's Edge will bring that change about.

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