Album Review: Tim Minchin - Apart Together

If you’ve come to Tim Minchin's new album for a timeless anti-anthem kind of like his earlier White Wine in The Sun, then that’s here; as are sweet singable melodies such as from Matilda. And, if you’re here just to see if someone who writes biting comedy can keep a straight face without an anchor, well you’re in the right place as well.

Despite its COVID-y name, Apart Together is much more a love letter than a snapshot of the times. Yes, there’s funny (Airport Piano) and beautifully wordy too (Talked Too Much, Stayed Too Long), but more impressive is the album’s overall range and space. The pop/rock of Beautiful Head sounds like a mixtape has exploded (in the best way), while Carry You is a good ol' fashioned piano sobbing-song (let it wash, have that cry, it’s lovely). There’s an undeniable autobiographical bent to the album that’ll satisfy existing fans and serve to explain a bit more to the casual acquaintance, but there’s also room left to wonder where artistic licence has been taken. If nothing the single I’ll Take Lonely Tonight is a puzzle to ponder – deceptively simple and sweet.

As with all of Minchin’s work, whatever medium, it gives more and more the deeper you go.