Album Review: Nick Mulvey - First Mind

Having stepped away from the much-lauded Portico Quartet a few years ago, after a couple of extended plays Nick Mulvey has finally released an album that sees him embracing the singer-songwriter role with aplomb.

From the opening tender notes issuing from his guitar on title track First Mind, a tranquil mood is cast that underscores this gratifying release. The 12 tracks drift along with an ebb and flow that artfully merges hope with longing. Songs like Fever To The Form begin humbly enough, but build in intensity, with subtle drum parts and gentle harmonies adding layers and textures that effortlessly draw the listener in.

Fingerpicking lays the foundation to one of the album highlights, April, with arpeggiating guitar work that haunts and captivates. Juramidam again showcases the simmering power Mulvey wields with his acoustic guitar, and the album as a whole is underpinned by a style of playing that strikes a mature, understated balance between technique and song crafting. Mulvey's voice never dominates the delicate musical landscape he paints with his soft strumming, and at all times the vocal melodies are subtle, blending seamlessly with the minimal instrumentation. 

Humming on tracks like Alisa Craig and The Trellis lends an almost hypnotic quality to the sound, and when Mulvey is weaving words it is with intelligent calculation. First Mind presents a fine collection of songs that are delivered with the graceful finesse of a songwriter on top of his game and deservedly on the rise.