ALBUM REVIEW| HAMISH HAWK | HEAVY ELEVATOR

‘Heavy Elevator’ is the forthcoming album by extraordinary upcoming Edinburgh born singer/songwriter Hamish Hawk. Hamish has been enjoying some radio success of late with two of his singles ‘Caterpillar’ & ‘Calls To Tiree’ already playlisted by 6 music.

Heavy Elevator comprises of 10 songs each one a deep dive into the brilliance and whimsy of Hamish Hawk. The album features some rather fascinating lyrics one of my personal favourites comes from the track The Mauritian Badminton Double Championship a delightfully witty mouthful of a song title. ‘To write a cathedral I’ll need a ballpoint pen, it’ll sound like common people sung by Christopher wren, on an upright piano with nice narrow keys in a Glaswegian chapel or a Parisian library.” Lyrics with an eccentricity that wouldn’t be out of place on an Alex turner album.
      

There were numerous influences and comparisons I noted throughout the album for example opening track “Vivian Comma” has an obvious Morrissey esq sound but with a modern twist a common theme throughout the album but particularly notable on this track. Hamish’s exquisite vocal floats alongside an ethereal melody that guides you softly into a quiet daydreamy state.

The third track on the album, “The Mauritian Badminton Double Championship 1973” as quoted from above is one of the finest on the album for me, in contrast to the opening track it is considerably lighter and brighter.  A jangling romantic lament much in the same vein as Morrisey penned classic contradictory in that it manages to sound both hopeful and melancholy. As the chorus builds, I notice a more anthemic sound that recalls huge stadium bands The Killers being one band that springs to mind and if I close my eyes, I imagine this one being sung back by a teary-eyed swaying festival crowd arm in arm as the sun goes down.

Track 6, “Caterpillar” is a fantastic example of the diversity on Heavy Elevator. While previous tracks have been Morrisey, and Smiths inspired gems this track has a quirkiness reminiscent of David Byrne that could certainly be mistaken for a Talking Heads hit this is another stand out track from the album that is certain to get the foot tapping.

Drawing towards the closure of the album the title track “Heavy Elevator” is a beautifully sombre trip. The opening and overall vibe of this song really draws Pink Floyd to mind not a comparison I make lightly and a stunning example of Hamish Hawks exceptional talent, a writer who manages to paint a vivid picture of the places and people who animate his songs when you listen to any track on the album you are alive in his world meandering through his imagination feeling every word.  

Although it is easy to make comparisons and notice the clear inspirations in this album it must be said that what stands out about it is whilst it draws on a wealth of inspirations from the past it manages to remain an original and contemporary an album unlike anything else you will hear out there at the minute a storybook of imagination and emotion a must listen. 

You can pre order the album here: Hamish Hawk Heavy Elevator — Assai Records