Douglas Dare – Whelm (review)

Douglas Dare is a young British singer/songwriter, who recently released his first full length album “Whelm” (on erased tapes records). If you are familiar with this blog, you’ve read that name once or twice before. I was introduced to Douglas Dare’s music in December 2013, when he was supporting Ólafur Arnalds on a few gigs through Europe. The evening was not, what I had expected, with Douglas stealing the spotlight from the main act. At least for me. I bought his EP ‘Seven Hours’ that night and there was no doubt in my mind, that I would get the full length album too, once released. I am impatient though and pre-ordered it. The day of it’s release, it was in my mail, that was 1 week ago.

To make this clear from the start, this album, is not for everyone. It’s special. Simple, but not easy. Raw, but not unpolished. Poetic, but never pretentious.

The heart and the soul of this record, are the lyrics. Poems and prose, brought to life with an exceptional voice, that sounds new and fresh. Distinctive. So much so, that Douglas Dare has a high recognition value. The voice is carried by piano and electronic drum beats and that’s all it needs.

The opener of the ten songs is, ‘clockwork’. Immediately, we get the essence of Douglas Dare. Piano, beautiful voice and poetic lyrics. From the start, it is clear, that this is no pop music, no easy-listening, but something that needs your full attention and if you are a music lover, you are willing to give it. Halfway through the song, we get a taste of the slight electronic elements, that are going to be present on this whole album. It’s not obnoxious, it’s merely a way to drive the song on. A song that ends the same way it started. Only voice and piano. The next song is called ‘Nile‘. We had the chance, to hear this song before the actual release of the album. I admit, it made me uneasy the first time I heard it. It has to do with the atmosphere the song creates and also the way it is sung. The singing style of Douglas Dare is hard to describe and that is good. As I said before. It’s fresh, not trite at all. His words are touching and the way he sings it, I am compelled to believe, when he says that he’d “sail down to river Nile, just to keep you alive and well.” Third song is called ‘repeat’. There’s a special sound in this song. At first listen, it was annoying, but then I realized, that it isn’t in the least. Again, it compliments the intensity of the song. The lyrics on this one are really good. Something  in them, that spoke to me on a personal level.

All of Douglas Dare’s songs are poems, prose. When I saw him, that last December, I complimented him on his lyrics and he told me, that he writes poems or lyrics first and then, the music is added. It’s something, that is almost palpable in his songs. Not one song feels forced. They flow naturally.

‘Caroline’ is certainly a highlight of the album. I loved this song a whole lot, when I heard it live. It was one of the really rare occasions, that yours truly had a tear in her eyes at a live show. It’s a pure song, telling a story. Sometimes easy is just as (or more) powerful than sophisticated. Though on this album nothing is ever easy and that is said in the most positive way. This song has a different feel to it. My guess is, that it’s a little closer to Mister Dare’s heart than the other ones. Of course, that is only my guess. After ‘Caroline’ comes and instrumental song. One that made me regret for the first time, that I don’t listen to anything on Vinyl. The whole album must sound amazing on Vinyl. We are taken out of the instrumental song with the next, ‘unrest’ which has an unsettling atmosphere. Again, complementary to the lyrics. It’s a heavy song, that reminds me of certain Depeche Mode songs. In a way a song that stands out. In a good – different way. Maybe, it’s the most accessible song on the album – if there ever is such a thing. Great chorus in this one.

Next is ‘lungful‘. It was the first ever song, that I heard of this talented man and can also be found on the EP ‘seven hours’. The lyrics are mind-blowing. They might be simple or easy, but they are very concise. Piano, a little drum beat and clapping hands… this song doesn’t need more to underline the depth of it.

You need to hear the call

They’re wishing you to fall

Don’t let them see you fail

I will not let you fail.

After this intense song, we are taken away with a story called ‘whitewash’. It’s the song, that explores Douglas’s voice the most, I’d say. Soft, fragile, deep, strong. It’s arguable the song, that marked me the most on this album. I kept trying to imagine how this song would sound, if it would be sung by Björk. Covering Douglas Dare’s songs must be close to impossible, because of his unique voice and singing style, but this song would suit Björk too. ‘Swim‘ is another song, that was released beforehand. It has no piano at the beginning of the song. Instead it has drum beats, which gives it a club-material feel. (imo). When the piano sets in, the song gets another different feel. I have to admit, that it’s a grower. I did not like it at first. It changed. Maybe I changed too and had another way to engage with it, after hearing it more often. Last song is called ‘London’s rose’. It’s a completely different style, than ‘swim’ and yet, it doesn’t feel out of place. This album ends with a simple song. Soft, but with meaningful lyrics. Douglas and his piano. An exceptional voice. Unique.

 

‘Whelm’ is an album about love, about loss. Sad and melancholic, but never pathetic. It’s simple, but not for the simple. It’s not crushed with numerous superfluous effects and that’s what’s best about it. Because it’s authentic.

It’s an album for lovers of good music. For people, who like to be taken on a journey. It’s certainly an album, that needs more than one listen and deserves it too. One to listen to consciously and not as background noise.

 

For more about Douglas Dare, go to www.douglasdare.com

Keep your eyes open for this young man and if you ever get the chance to see him live in concert, go see him. You won’t regret it.

 

Thank you Douglas, for sharing your talent with us

 

xx

 

Cathy

 

PS: remember, I am not a professional critic. This is from a music lover for other music lovers, therefore, it’s subjective.